Disney+ Hulu Price Increase 2025: Full Breakdown & History
The Disney+ Hulu price increase announced for October 21, 2025 raises costs for several ad-free and bundle options. This article explains what changes, reviews past price moves, outlines why the hikes keep happening, and lists practical steps subscribers can take.
What changes
Disney confirmed price changes that take effect October 21, 2025. Key moves include increases to ad-supported and ad-free tiers and higher bundle pricing for some plans. The biggest dollar jumps land on ad-free options and premium bundles.
- Disney+ with ads: move higher in 2025 for the monthly plan.
- Disney+ ad-free: larger monthly and annual increases in 2025.
- Hulu ad-free: price increase aligned with Disney+ adjustments.
- Bundles: trio bundles and premium bundle variants see increases depending on configuration.
For official coverage see Reuters, Variety, TheWrap, and CBS News. Links at the bottom of this article include tracking parameters for JoeyPedras.com.
Price history
Disney and Hulu have raised prices repeatedly since streaming grew into the core business. Below is a concise timeline of notable public increases.
| Date | What changed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| March 26, 2021 | Disney+ raised base price by $1 | First post-launch increase |
| December 2022 | New ad-supported tier introduced; other tiers adjusted | Shifted product mix to ad and ad-free options |
| October 2023 | Broad increases for core plans | Part of annual cadence |
| October 2024 | Incremental increases across some plans | Continued pricing adjustments |
| October 21, 2025 | Latest announced increases for many ad-free and bundle plans | Most recent round |
Why prices rise
Streaming businesses face high costs. Production budgets, licensing, talent, and delivery all add up. Companies that once prioritized rapid subscriber growth are now pushing for profits. Bundles and tiering are ways to protect revenue while offering cheaper ad-supported options.
Subscriber impact
Repeated small increases add up. Subscribers who use ad-free plans or premium bundles feel the change most. Some users cancel. Others downgrade to ad-supported plans or move to competitors. For people who use multiple services the total monthly bill can grow quickly.
What you can do
- Switch to ad-supported tiers when you can. This often yields the biggest savings.
- Compare bundle versus standalone pricing. Bundles can be cheaper if you use all included services.
- Check for annual plans. Paying yearly can reduce your effective monthly cost.
- Watch for promotions. Carriers, retailers, and partners sometimes offer temporary deals.
- Audit your subscriptions. Remove any service you rarely use.
Spotlight: I cover streaming trends and media strategy on the JoeyPedras.com blog. You can also find video breakdowns at my video page. For related news, see Entertainment News on the site.
Conclusion
The October 2025 price changes continue a multi-year pattern. If you rely on ad-free plans, expect higher costs. If you are price sensitive, consider ad-supported tiers, bundles that match your use, or temporary promotions. The choices you make will determine whether the increase feels reasonable or painful.
FAQ
When do the 2025 changes take effect?
They take effect October 21, 2025.
Which plans increase the most?
Ad-free and premium bundle plans generally see the largest dollar increases.
Can I avoid the increases?
You can reduce cost by switching to ad-supported tiers, choosing annual billing where available, or cancelling unused services.
Further reading
Last updated: September 24, 2025