As the platform once again reclaims its original name, HBO Max is now getting a new price hike. Launched in 2020, the platform has served, first as just Warner Bros. then, subsequently, Warner Bros. Discovery's attempt to get in on the streaming war, and has largely worked in its favor. Even amid numerous brand name changes, it currently sits with over 125 million subscribers, and is No. 4 in all-time subscriptions behind Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and Netflix.
After a divisive few years with streaming-exclusive movie releases and scrapped titles, the HBO Max brand returned in May 2025, all while the platform forged ahead with the successful releases of The Pitt and Peacemaker season 2, as well as continued development on numerous DC Universe shows and The Big Bang Theory spinoff, Stuart Saves the Universe. One thing that has stayed fairly consistent through the years is its price, with only brief $1 bumps in 2023 and 2024.
Warner Bros. Discovery has announced that HBO Max will be raising the prices for both its Standard and Premium subscription plans, effectively immediately for new subscribers. For current monthly subscribers, they will be notified 30 days in advance of their plan's renewal starting from their next billing date on or after November 20, while yearly subscribers won't see an increase until the time of their renewal, and will similarly be given notice 30 days ahead of time.
The HBO Max Standard subscription is increasing by $1.50 for monthly users, bringing it up to $18.49, while annually will be increasing by $15 a year to $184.99. As for HBO Max Premium subscribers, the monthly price is getting a $2 increase to $22.99, while the annual cost will escalate by $20 a year to $229.99.
This latest price jump from HBO Max comes as something of a surprise in that it's the biggest one to date for the platform, with the Premium ad-free monthly prices having begun at $15 five years ago, along with $9.99 for the Standard ad-based rate, and annual rates are now over $80. While still in single digits, the fact that even the monthly price bumps are bigger than the past speaks to a major change for the platform.
HBO Max logo pumpkin field
As for the reason behind it, the most notable is that reports have swirled over the past few months that Warner Bros. Discovery was opening the floor to a potential sale. Both Netflix and Paramount Skydance were reportedly planning bids for the studio, though the latter's was said to be rejected. This all stemmed from the decision to split Warner Bros. and Discovery off, in order to better safeguard the former's various brands while the latter shoulders WB's debt.
While not as extensive as its namesake's linear channel, HBO Max's original programming certainly isn't a cheap lineup, with titles like Peacemaker coming with a budget in the triple digits of millions. Additionally, with their various licensing deals outside WBD's content, including A24 and Studio Ghibli, the streamer's latest price raise may be a necessary one in order to continue providing the library expectations they've amassed.
