Get ready for a shock: your favorite streaming services are about to get a whole lot pricier! As of October 2025, Disney is hiking the prices of its Disney+ and Hulu plans in the U.S., including most bundles. But here's the thing: this isn't just a minor adjustment - we're talking about a significant increase that's likely to affect millions of subscribers. The standalone Disney+ service, for instance, will rise from $9.99 to $11.99 per month on October 21, 2025. That's a whopping 20% increase! And if you're a Hulu user, you can expect to pay $11.99 per month for the ad-supported plan, up from $9.99. The premium version of Hulu with no ads, on the other hand, will remain at $18.99 per month. But wait, there's more: the price of ESPN Select, formerly known as ESPN+, will also increase from $11.99 to $12.99 per month on October 21. And this is the part most people miss: this is the third time in three years that Disney is raising the prices of its streaming services in the U.S. In fact, the company has been hiking prices every October since 2023, leaving many subscribers wondering if it's still worth the cost. Now, you might be wondering why Disney is raising its prices again. Well, the company hasn't provided an official explanation, but it's likely due to the increasing cost of content creation and acquisition. After all, producing high-quality shows and movies isn't cheap, and Disney needs to recoup its costs somehow. But here's where it gets controversial: the price hikes come at a time when many Disney+ and Hulu users are already frustrated with the service. In recent days, some subscribers have even cancelled their service in protest of Disney's handling of the Jimmy Kimmel controversy. As you may recall, Kimmel was suspended by Disney and ABC over comments he made about the killer of Charlie Kirk, and some local TV station groups refused to air his show in response. While Disney has since announced that Kimmel's show will return to ABC, the incident has left a sour taste in the mouths of many subscribers. And now, with the price hikes looming, some are wondering if it's time to jump ship. But before you make any decisions, consider this: Disney is in the process of merging Hulu into Disney+, with plans to shut down the Hulu app and service in 2026. According to Disney, you'll still be able to purchase Disney+ and Hulu as standalone plans, but it's unclear how this will affect the overall user experience. So, what do you think? Are the price hikes justified, or are they a step too far? Should Disney be raising its prices again, or is it time for the company to rethink its strategy? Let us know in the comments! And if you're a Disney+ or Hulu subscriber, be sure to share your thoughts on the price hikes and how they'll affect your viewing habits.
