Families relying on Disney+ and Hulu for kids’ movies and TV shows are about to pay more. Disney has raised prices across several streaming plans, with the biggest increases hitting subscribers who want to watch without ads.
As of September 23, Disney’s standalone ad-free Disney+ and Hulu plans increased from $18.99 to $21.49 per month, a $2.50, or roughly 13%, increase. Ad-supported versions rose by 50 cents to $12.49, while the ad-supported Disney+/Hulu bundle remains $12.99 per month.
The ad-free Disney+/Hulu bundle is also increasing, from $19.99 to $21.99 per month. Existing subscribers will see the new prices on their next monthly bill, while new subscribers are charged the higher rates immediately.
Disney says the increases come as it continues investing in improvements to its streaming services, including technology, features and personalization. The company is also moving toward a more unified Disney+ and Hulu experience, with Hulu profiles and watch histories now able to connect through Disney+.
How Are Subscribers Reacting to the Price Hike?
The latest increase has arrived amid growing frustration over repeated streaming price increases. Disney+ has raised its U.S. prices several times since launching in 2019, when its ad-free plan cost $6.99 per month.
For families, the change can be particularly noticeable because Disney+ is often combined with other streaming subscriptions. The new $21.49 standalone price also puts Disney+ and Hulu above the $19.99 monthly price of Netflix’s standard ad-free plan, although Disney’s bundle options complicate direct comparisons.
The Globe and Mail-syndicated analysis frames the central question around whether the latest increase delivers enough additional value to justify the higher cost. That debate comes as streaming companies increasingly rely on price increases and bundles rather than simply adding subscribers.
How Many Disney+ and Hulu Subscribers Does Disney Have?
Disney’s most recently reported figures show 131.6 million Disney+ subscribers and 64.1 million total Hulu subscribers as of September 2025. Hulu’s total includes 59.7 million streaming-only subscribers and 4.4 million Hulu + Live TV subscribers.
Disney has since stopped regularly reporting individual subscriber totals, making those September 2025 numbers the latest official figures available. That makes the company’s financial performance particularly important when considering how its streaming business is doing.
In its latest quarter, Disney reported $712 million in operating income from its Disney+ and Hulu streaming business, up from $329 million a year earlier. That represents a 116% year-over-year increase, suggesting that streaming has become a significant contributor to Disney’s profitability even as subscription prices continue to rise.
