Binge-watching a show or a movie is one of the pleasures we still splurge on to allow ourselves some brain rot. Corporations, of course, are taking advantage of these circumstances, profiting from your winding-down time and turning it into another bill you can’t afford.
Netflix — the biggest streaming platform in the world, with 301.6 million global subscribers as of 2026 — has decided that now is a good time to increase subscription prices in the U.S. market. It’ll be the second time in less than two years.
The behemoth streaming platform is raising prices across all of its U.S. plans, with the ad-supported tier now costing $8.99 a month, up from $7.99. The standard plan is jumping to $19.99, while the premium tier climbs to $26.99, making it one of the priciest mainstream streaming options out there.
Adding an extra member is also getting more expensive, with fees rising to $7.99 for ad-supported accounts and $9.99 for ad-free plans.
The company hasn’t been shy about why. As it pushes further into live sports, video podcasts, and other new content formats, it’s also looking to bring in more revenue per subscriber — especially in the U.S. and Canada, where analysts expect that number to tick up this year.
Netflix phased out its cheapest ad-free plan back in 2023, quietly nudging users toward more expensive options. Now, with another round of increases, the gap between “basic” entertainment and a full subscription is getting wider.
For viewers, it’s starting to add up.
“Don’t understand why so many people think Netflix is just one of those automatic bills one has to pay,” said one user on Reddit.
“Groceries and gas prices are going up, and billionaire companies are cutting jobs meanwhile making existing workers do 3 roles in 1, and giving 1.1% annual raises. Doesn’t even cover the average cost of living increase. Meanwhile Netflix is out here raising prices annually,” pointed out another, claiming that the company has raised prices five times since 2020.
At this point, it’s not just Netflix. It’s Netflix, plus everything else you’re subscribed to — and suddenly that “cheap” night in doesn’t look so cheap anymore.
More From Cheapism
- Subscription Prices Have Increased Dramatically Since 2020 — New data reveals that subscription prices have gone up by an alarming amount since 2020. Read on for a list of platforms that raised prices.
- 20 Subscriptions That Are Actually Worth The Money — Discover subscriptions worth the money — the services Redditors say actually deliver value and are worth keeping despite recurring charges.
- Sneaky Subscription Charges Americans Forget to Cancel — From barely-used streaming services to trendy lifestyle apps, these subscription charges put a major dent in your wallet every month.
