Disney+ Price Increase 2025: The House of Mouse Wants More Credits

Disney’s Third Price Hike in Three Years

On October 21, 2025, Disney will be doing what Disney does best: charging you more money for the exact same product. That’s right — for the third time in three years, the subscription cost for Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Select (plus their various bundles) is going up.

Now, if you’re wondering why — the official line is “operating costs, content investments, and bundle value.” Translation: we spent billions on Marvel shows you forgot existed, and now you’re footing the bill.

The Timing Couldn’t Be Worse

According to Variety, Disney has been planning this fee increase for weeks. But the announcement comes right in the middle of backlash over the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC.

Kimmel’s show is technically returning September 23, but thanks to local affiliates like Nexstar and Sinclair, some viewers still won’t see it. So while fans grumble about their late-night fix, Disney’s accountants are slipping a hand into your pocket.

Classic move.

What’s Changing Exactly?

The short version: almost everything is going up, except Hulu Premium (no ads) and one or two bundles.

• Disney+ with ads jumps from $9.99 to $11.99. Paying extra to watch The Mandalorian with shampoo commercials? Brilliant.
• Disney+ Premium (no ads) goes from $15.99 to $18.99. Because apparently silence costs three more dollars.
• Hulu with ads rises to $11.99. The privilege of seeing Gordon Ramsay shout at people now costs you more.
• ESPN Select adds a dollar. Which means you’ll pay $12.99 to watch highlights that are free on YouTube.
• Bundles are also pricier — Disney/Hulu/ESPN with ads climbs $3, while the HBO Max combo is also up by $3.

And the biggest jump? Hulu + Live TV with ads rockets up by $7 to $89.99. That’s basically a utility bill disguised as television.

Why Disney Thinks They Can Get Away With It

Disney knows three things:

1. You’ll complain.
2. You’ll threaten to cancel.
3. Then you’ll remember that Grogu exists, Deadpool 3 is on the horizon, and your kids will riot if they lose Bluey.

In short: Disney has you by the credits. And they know it.

Fans Are Not Happy

Social media reaction has been about as subtle as a rancor in a china shop. Fans are furious that Disney keeps raising prices while canceling shows left and right. The optics of this being tied to the Kimmel mess only makes it worse — “we can’t air your favourite talk show properly, but here’s a higher bill.”

Not exactly the happiest place on Earth.

The Bundle Trap

Bundles are supposed to save money. But look closely:

• Disney+ & Hulu with ads is now $12.99 — a $2 jump.
• The Premium no-ads version? Stays $19.99. So Disney is nudging you toward paying for the pricier plan by leaving it untouched. Sneaky.
• The three-way bundle (Disney, Hulu, ESPN) with ads climbs to $19.99, still a decent deal, but not when you realise half the shows are filler.
• The HBO Max bundle climbs to $32.99 for no ads. At that point, you might as well go back to cable.

Compared to Competitors

Disney isn’t alone in the hike game. Netflix has been quietly creeping prices up too, while still cracking down on password sharing. Amazon Prime Video? Adding ads unless you cough up extra.

Streaming was supposed to be cheaper than cable. Now it’s basically cable with more apps and less stability.

The Real Question: Is It Still Worth It?

That depends. If you’re a Star Wars die-hard who needs every bit of content from The Mandalorian to The Acolyte, then yes, you’re stuck. Same if your kids binge Pixar movies like it’s oxygen.

But if you only open Disney+ once every two months, paying nearly $19 for ad-free access feels like buying a speeder and only driving it to the corner shop.

FAQs

When do the new prices take effect?
October 21, 2025.

Which plans are staying the same?
Hulu Premium (no ads) at $18.99 and Disney+ & Hulu Premium bundle at $19.99.

Why are prices going up?
Disney cites “operating costs” and “investment in content.” Translation: Bob Iger wants another yacht.

Is Disney+ still cheaper than Netflix?
Not really. They’re basically neck-and-neck now, depending on your ad tolerance.

Can I avoid the hike?
Not unless you cancel, switch to annual (if offered), or “borrow” someone else’s login (until the crackdown comes).

Is Hulu + Live TV worth $90 a month?
Only if you really hate your wallet.

Until Next Time…

So there you have it. Disney’s charging more again. They’ve raised prices three times in three years, proving they’ve fully embraced the Sith way of thinking: “Power? Unlimited. Money? Also unlimited — as long as we keep squeezing fans.”

Until next time, remember: the Force may be free, but Disney+ definitely isn’t.

This is Gunghoguns Bralor, signing off before Mickey Mouse starts charging me rent for breathing.