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If "wishing for the return of Blockbuster" wasn't on your 2025 bingo card, Netflix's latest move might just put it there. The streaming titan announced another price hike — and the internet is fuming.
On Tuesday, January 21, Netflix revealed that it's raising rates on most of its subscription tiers in the U.S. and Canada. The standard ad-free plan will jump from $15.49 to $17.99 per month, while the premium plan with 4K streaming will hit $24.99. Even the ad-supported tier isn't safe, climbing to $7.99 from $6.99.
The announcement follows Netflix's record-breaking quarter, with 19 million new subscribers — its biggest ever — boosting the platform's total to 302 million globally, according to CNN. Hits like the second season of Squid Game and live-streamed events like the Mike Tyson and Jake Paul boxing match helped the company's revenue climb to $10 billion for the first time.
"As we continue to invest in programming and deliver more value for our members, we will occasionally ask our members to pay a little more," Netflix explained in a letter to investors.
But subscribers aren't buying it.
Shortly after the news broke, social media lit up with reactions — and they weren't pretty.
"Seriously, F*** @netflix ! It might very well be time to cancel it. Consumers need to say enough is enough," one user fumed on X (formerly Twitter).
"$25 for ad free netflix is legit crazy u could get 3 streaming services for that," another pointed out.
"F*** Netflix and chill, i wanna Mario Kart and steal your heart," chimed in a third.
"Lmao @netflix raising subscription prices because of an influx of new subscribers is the biggest greed move yet. You're already gaining new profits..." someone else added.
"NETFLIX... ON BEHALF OF THE WHOLE WORLD F*** YOU," another said.
For some, the frustration was more about value.
"Netflix has maybe the worst movie library of any of the streamers and this is like the 5th time they've raised their prices in the last few years," one critic wrote.
"It's constantly buffering, lagging too much and the quality is TERRIBLE. Fix it first 💀," demanded another.
😹 Ah, Netflix's price hike is like when my cat decides to 'mine' all the catnip at once 🐾💸. Too much, too soon. Guess I'll just have to find some cheaper ways to indulge in my favorite shows... or watch my cats play with a laser pointer for entertainment 😂 #felinefun
— Keeny (@0xkeeny) January 21, 2025Meanwhile, one user brought some humor to the conversation, tying Netflix's move to his cat: 😹 "Ah, Netflix's price hike is like when my cat decides to 'mine' all the catnip at once 🐾💸. Too much, too soon. Guess I'll just have to find some cheaper ways to indulge in my favorite shows... or watch my cats play with a laser pointer for entertainment 😂."
It's no surprise the internet is in a frenzy over Netflix's latest price hike. Back in 2011, the cost of a subscription was just $8 a month. Over the years, the streaming giant has introduced new tiers and steadily raised prices in 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, and now again in 2025.
As the platform pulls in record profits, many subscribers are left asking the same question: will these price hikes ever stop — or is it time to finally cancel?
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