Netflix price hike hits us subscribers

Netflix has sparked outrage among its US subscribers with a surprise price hike. The streaming giant announced immediate increases across all its plans, with new subscribers hit hardest.

Plans and price changes

The Standard with ads now costs $8.99 per month, up from $7.99. The ad-free Standard plan jumps $2 to $19.99. And the Premium tier sees a $2 increase to $26.99.

This latest hike follows a similar price bump in the first quarter of 2025, the first increase in three years. Subscribers are crying foul, accusing Netflix of bursting viewing bubbles by canceling beloved shows or raising prices.

Impact and future hikes

While the increase only affects US subscribers for now, industry watchers predict the price hikes will spread to other territories soon. The strategy seems to be working for Netflix, with the platform enjoying a successful start to 2026 thanks to the conclusion of Stranger Things and new Movies like Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man and War Machine.

However, the price of loyalty remains a sore point for many subscribers. Only time will tell if they'll stick with Netflix or explore cheaper alternatives.