Movies

Netflix Is Raising Prices Again

BBG News

The price of a Netflix subscription is going up again.

Not just one kind of Netflix plan is affected by the price rise; the magnitude of the increase depends on the size of your chosen plan. For example, if you subscribe to their ad-supported tier (the least expensive option), that price will go up from $6.99 to $7.99. If you choose the standard tier without ads, its cost will also rise, from $15.49 to $17.99. And for those on the premium tier, the monthly fee will increase from $22.99 to $24.99. The prices not only determine the number of simultaneous streams you can watch across multiple devices but also the level of HD quality video you can enjoy on these streams.

In simpler terms, this marks the initial significant price hike for Netflix since late 2023. Furthermore, it’s the first occasion that they have increased prices for their ad-supported plan since its introduction some years back.

Netflix announced the price increase in their new earnings report, writing in part…

To sustain our commitment to enhancing your experience with us, we might occasionally request an increase in your subscription fee. This additional investment will help us continually upgrade and enhance the quality of Netflix for everyone’s enjoyment.

In one of its most successful quarters yet for subscriber growth, Netflix revealed it gained approximately 19 million new subscribers during the previous quarter. As a result, the streaming giant now has over 301 million users globally.

Some popular shows currently streaming on Netflix are Squid Game, Cobra Kai, and Bridgerton (not to mention Stranger Things, which will air its final season later this year). Additionally, the platform has started airing weekly episodes of WWE’s Monday Night Raw globally.

The Best Netflix Movies of 2024

Orion and the Dark

If the movie narrative revolving around a young boy who maintains a journal of his anxieties and apprehensions echoes the style of Charlie Kaufman, it’s because Kaufman himself was involved in adapting Netflix’s “Orion and the Dark”, an animated film that may seem similar to Pixar’s “Inside Out” at first glance but is significantly stranger and eerier. In this story, 11-year-old Orion encounters Dark, a personification of his greatest fear, who turns out to be more amicable than one might expect. Together, they embark on a global journey, encountering various representations of nighttime activities such as Sleep, Sweet Dreams, and Mysterious Sounds. The narrative explores the theme of overcoming fears, but it also delves into unexpected friendships, lengthy roads to forgiveness, and childhood existential dilemmas that resonate with us all.

Hit Man

In Richard Linklater’s “Hit Man”, Glen Powell steps into the leading role he rightfully earns, portraying a college professor who doubles as a phony hit man. This film is based on a true story, where our protagonist dons various disguises to apprehend would-be assassins for the local police department. However, his meticulously crafted life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters a woman intent on hiring a hitman to eliminate her abusive husband. Instead of reporting her, he finds himself drawn to her, adopting a seductive persona while attempting to conceal their relationship from the authorities. The movie is both humorous and thrilling, highlighting Powell’s charisma and his knack for playing diverse characters all at once.

Rebel Ridge

Director Jeremy Saulnier is renowned for his gruesome crime thrillers, but his 2024 film, “Rebel Ridge,” veers from this pattern. Instead of focusing on violence, it builds suspense and tension that eventually erupts. The lead role is played by Aaron Pierre as Terry Richmond, a former Marine whose bail money for an imprisoned relative is confiscated during a traffic stop by local police. In a bid to retrieve it, Terry takes drastic steps, unearthing a town-wide conspiracy in the process. Pierre delivers a powerful yet subtle performance, pitted against Don Johnson’s relentless character.

His Three Daughters

As their father transitions to hospice care at home during his struggle against cancer, his three daughters – portrayed by Carrie Coon, Natasha Lyonne, and Elizabeth Olsen – convene in his apartment, bracing for the inevitable end that could occur at any moment. Struggling with the weight of their father’s approaching demise, the sisters strive to find some semblance of routine while reopening old wounds, drawing nearer through minor squabbles, a common bond among sisters. The film His Three Daughters, filmed entirely within one apartment, is visually stunning, and the acting trio deliver exceptional performances, skillfully interacting with each other in distinctive and captivating manners.

The Remarkable Life of Ibelin

The Unique Chronicle of Ibelin: A Documentary Like No Other, Filmed in 2024

This exceptional documentary is based on the blog of Mats Steen, a Norwegian man who tragically passed away at 24 due to a degenerative muscle disease. It also incorporates memories shared by his friends and family, creating a captivating narrative that intertwines Steen’s real life with his virtual existence within the popular video game World of Warcraft (WoW).

In WoW, Steen’s character, Ibelin Redmoore, embarked on thrilling adventures alongside his in-game friends. The film employs digital animation mirroring WoW’s distinctive visual style to portray Steen’s life within the virtual world of the game. This was a realm where Steen could experience the love and excitement that his real-life disease had denied him.

Don’t Move

In the realm of thrillers, it’s not easy to create something fresh and captivating, but Don’t Move turned out to be an enjoyable surprise. The story revolves around Iris (Kelsey Asbille), a mourning mother who is abducted by a serial killer. She manages to break free, yet discovers that he has administered a chemical that causes progressive paralysis. To stay alive, she must outrun him before her body completely shuts down. The concept is intriguing and results in a suspenseful journey, and at 92 minutes, it never overstays its welcome by prolonging the tension unnecessarily.

Martha

It’s high time for an insightful and engaging documentary on Martha Stewart, and the film Martha certainly doesn’t disappoint. Directed by R.J. Cutler, known for his work on The War Room, The September Issue, and Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry, this movie is both comprehensive and captivating, offering a rich biographical account of one of the first-ever lifestyle influencers. With its intriguing exploration of Stewart’s complex life story, the film is sure to pique your curiosity and respectfully present her journey. Whether you’re already a Martha Stewart fan (even if you’ve only caught a glimpse on Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg’s cooking variety show) or not, Martha is bound to make you a devotee.

Hot Frosty

Absolutely, we’re including the holiday romantic comedy about the enchanting, hunky snowman who turns into a human and finds love with a solitary woman in our top Netflix movies of the year. Despite its outlandish plot — and trust us, it’s quite outlandish — “Hot Frosty” is laugh-out-loud self-deprecating, poking fun at itself while still winning your heart with its endearing qualities. Just like a muscular snowman with abs might do.

The Piano Lesson

Set against the backdrop of August Wilson’s 1987 play, “The Piano Lesson,” is a powerful family drama. This captivating production features Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, Erykah Badu, Ray Fisher, and Danielle Deadwyler. The story centers around a pianoforte, intricately carved by an ancestor who was once enslaved, that becomes the focal point of a family’s history and struggles during the aftermath of the Great Depression. Two siblings, each with their own perspective on the piano’s future, navigate their familial relationships and the lives forever altered by this seemingly inanimate object. Produced by Denzel Washington, it’s a fiery Southern Gothic tale brought to life by some of today’s most influential stars, delivering riveting performances that will leave you spellbound.

Carry-On

Jaume Collet-Serra is recognized as an unsung master of suspenseful movies that unfold across different means of transportation. His collaborations with Liam Neeson, such as “Non-Stop” and “The Commuter,” feature action on an airplane and a commuter train respectively. In his newest production, “Carry-On,” the setting shifts to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Here, Taron Egerton portrays a dedicated TSA agent who finds himself entangled in a terrorist scheme while screening luggage on his first day. The villain, played by Jason Bateman, remains unnamed yet delivers chilling performances through an earpiece as he and the protagonist race against time to locate a dangerous suitcase amidst the crowded airport during Christmas Eve celebrations. Essentially, “Carry-On” can be described as a “Die Hard”-like story with airplanes, and it’s the kind of intense foot chases that even Tom Cruise might admire.

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2025-01-22 01:23

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