- The HBO Max price just got more expensive for new customers
- Warner Bros. Discovery said all three plans will see an increase in costs
- There is a way to get a cheaper subscription through bundles
Warner Bros. Discovery is making good on its promise to charge more for a HBO Max subscription, announcing a sudden price hike that’s effective immediately for new subscribers.
According to Variety, the HBO Max price will rise by as much as $2 a month and $20 a year from today (October 21). Every plan has seen a jump in costs, including both the monthly and annual options, making the service one of the most expensive ad-free streaming plans compared to rivals – only Hulu is pricier at $18.99 per month.
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
Was |
Now |
|---|---|---|
|
Basic (with ads) |
$9.99 per month / $99.99 annually |
$10.99 per month / $109.99 annually |
|
Standard (no ads) |
$16.99 per month / $169.99 annually |
$18.49 per month / $184.99 annually |
|
Premium (no ads) |
$20.99 per month / $209.99 annually |
$22.99 per month / $229.99 annually |
HBO Max users are understandably frustrated by the news, with many raising their annoyances on social media platforms. One Reddit thread already has over 500 comments filled with users threatening to cancel their accounts to boycott the rise.
These types of responses have become increasingly familiar, especially in 2025, as HBO Max isn’t the only platform to have raised prices. Many of the best streaming services have announced similar increases this year, which is a worrying trend for consumers who already have subscription fatigue.
How to avoid the HBO Max price hike
If you’re an existing HBO Max user, then you won’t see an increase in prices until your next billing date, depending on whether that’s on or after November 20. Meanwhile, anyone signed up to a yearly plan won’t have to pay the higher prices until their next renewal.
That means that there is some time to find a way to avoid paying more to watch your favorite movies and shows from the network, as existing subscribers should be notified of any account changes 30 days before the increase kicks in.
My advice? Take a look at the best streaming deals, as there are some offers worth taking advantage of if you still want to keep access the service. Unfortunately, given that the increase applies to both monthly and annual plans, the annual plan savings don’t offer as much value as they once did.
There’s been no indication that the price hike will impact any existing discounts like the student deal HBO Max offers, but of course, you have to qualify for that saving, which means the best way to avoid paying more for HBO Max is to consider one of the many bundles or memberships that include the service.
One of the cheapest ways to get HBO Max is by signing up to a Cricket Wireless ‘Supreme Unlimited’ package, which throws in an ad-supported HBO Max subscription for free. There’s also the option to bag yourself a bundle that includes HBO Max, like the Disney+, Hulu and HBO Max bundle plan or Prime Video’s add-on channel offer.
Better yet, Prime Video is currently offering a limited-time add-on sale, which lets you get HBO Max in a bundle with Starz for just $20.99 per month, which is perfect if you were excited to catch the new HBO series IT: Welcome to Derry when it arrives on October 26.
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amelia.schwanke@futurenet.com (Amelia Schwanke)
