Disney+ subscribers might want to brace themselves before opening their next bill. The streaming giant is rolling out yet another price hike this week, marking the fourth increase since its 2019 debut. While the platform continues to expand its catalog of blockbuster movies and hit series, the rising cost has many fans wondering if the magic is still worth the money. Here’s what you need to know about how much more you’ll be paying—and why Disney says it’s necessary.
Disney+ raises prices across all plans
Starting October 21, Disney+ subscribers will be paying a bit more for their streaming magic. The ad-supported plan is set to rise by $2, bringing the monthly cost to $11.99, while the ad-free Disney+ Premium tier will jump $3 to $18.99 per month—or $189.99 a year, a $30 increase.
Bundle deals aren’t spared either: the ad-supported Disney+ and Hulu combo will now cost $12.99 a month, up from $10.99, and the Premium Bundle featuring ad-free Disney+ and Hulu alongside ESPN+ with ads will move from $26.99 to $29.99.
Disney said subscribers started receiving advance notifications about the upcoming price changes as early as September.
A look back at Disney+ price hikes since its debut
This week’s increase marks the latest in a steady string of hikes for Disney+, which has adjusted its subscription rates four times since launching in November 2019. The service debuted at just $6.99 per month, but as its library of Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and original content grew, so did its price tag.
The first bump arrived in March 2021, when the ad-free plan rose to $7.99 per month. By December 2022, Disney introduced its ad-supported tier at that same price while pushing the ad-free plan to $10.99—a significant 38% increase.
Further hikes followed in October 2023 and October 2024, each bringing noticeable jumps across Disney’s plans. In 2023, the ad-free Disney+ plan rose from $10.99 to $13.99 per month, while the annual plan increased from $109.99 to $139.99. Bundle prices also climbed, with the Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ package moving from $19.99 to $24.99 per month, depending on the ad tier.
In October 2024, Disney implemented another round of increases as part of its broader global pricing update. The standard ad-free tier climbed to $15.99, and international plans—such as those in Europe—saw similar adjustments, with prices rising by about €1 to €2 monthly.
Why Disney+ needs to charge more
Disney says the latest price hike is part of a broader effort to maintain momentum in a fast-evolving and increasingly expensive streaming landscape. Although the company’s streaming division turned a profit for the first time in 2024, executives have stressed that continued growth is crucial to offset rising production and licensing costs. The platform’s vast catalog—including blockbuster Marvel and Star Wars titles, live sports through ESPN+, and expanding Hulu integration—requires significant investment to sustain and refresh.
Like its competitors, Disney is navigating a streaming market reshaped by surging content budgets, password-sharing crackdowns, and the rapid adoption of ad-supported tiers. With rivals such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Max also raising prices to balance costs and maintain profitability, Disney+’s latest increase follows an industry-wide trend rather than an isolated move.
Ultimately, the company views the higher subscription fees as necessary to deliver premium content while funding future projects and technology upgrades. The strategy, Disney says, ensures that subscribers continue to enjoy a steady stream of high-quality entertainment—albeit at a slightly higher price.
Source: LiveNOW from FOX