Disney Plus Price Increase
So here it is, straight from the House of Mouse: Disney Plus subscriptions are jumping again, with new monthly rates kicking in from October 21, 2025. The ad-supported plan will now set folks back $11.99 a month (up from $9.99). Those who like their Marvel without mid-battle toothpaste ads? The ad-free tier lands at $18.99 per month.
That’s a steep $3 climb. For annual planners, Disney is, generously, handing out a $189.99 bill (up $30). Even most Disney bundle combos are getting pricier, except, weirdly enough, the ad-free Disney+ and Hulu bundle which stands pat at $19.99—small mercies.
Why the Price Hike?
Disney claims rising content costs and changing industry winds are to blame, which honestly is what every streamer says these days. Supposedly, epic space battles and emotionally complex animated elephants don’t come cheap.
The company has also finally managed to make its streaming division actually profitable after years of splashing money around like Goofy at a garden hose party. Maybe that’s why their definition of magic includes the “appear” trick—where your money disappears! There’s also the backdrop of Disney’s recent PR headaches (more on that in a second), and the fact that every one of their major competitors (Netflix, Max, Apple TV+, Peacock) recently upped their prices. Sometimes it feels like these companies raise their rates because they can—not because they must.
How Much More Are You Paying?
Just for kicks (and so no one is surprised by an angry bank app notification), here’s a quick breakdown:
| Plan/Bundle | Old Price (USD) | New Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Disney+ With Ads | $9.99 | $11.99 |
| Disney+ Ad-Free | $15.99 | $18.99 |
| Disney+, Hulu Bundle (Ads) | $10.99 | $12.99 |
| Disney+, Hulu Bundle (No Ads) | $19.99 | $19.99 |
| Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Bundle (Ads) | $16.99 | $19.99 |
| Disney+ (No Ads), Hulu (No Ads), ESPN Select | $26.99 | $29.99 |
| Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Basic (Ads) | $16.99 | $19.99 |
| Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Basic (No Ads) | $29.99 | $32.99 |
Real Reactions: Subscribers Sound Off
First sentence: Subscribers aren’t exactly thrilled. Social media’s been full of groans—some playfully calling it “The Rise of Disney’s Profits,” others threatening to swap Elsa’s ice for a Netflix binge and say “let it go” to their subscription.
There’s a small but persistent “Unsubscribe Party” gathering steam, driven by both the price and recent drama involving ABC’s (Disney-owned) temporary suspension of Jimmy Kimmel. Anecdotally, my cousin texted me yesterday with “I’m out. I love Pixar, but not $19 worth a month. The kids can rewatch Cars on Blu-ray like it’s 2011.” Is she bluffing? Maybe. She once “quit” Starbucks, too.
The Timing — Can It Get Worse?
Disney couldn’t have picked a messier moment. Right on the heels of a heated controversy involving Jimmy Kimmel and a temporary boycott campaign, they announce, “Surprise! It’ll cost more to stream us.” Typically, a company waits until the heat dies down, but here, it’s almost as if they wanted our Twitter feeds to double as smoke alarms.
I joked with friends: “It’s like tripping over your shoelaces, then announcing you’re selling the shoes for double.” Timing, right? Even some perennial optimists in my group chat groaned that this might just be the nudge they needed to finally rotate subscriptions.
