Netflix Stock Price Explained: Why Everyone Is Watching the $90 Level

Netflix Stock Price Explained: Why Everyone Is Watching the $90 Level

It’s weird to think that just a few months ago, everyone was calling Netflix the undisputed king of the world. Now, if you look at what is netflix stock price today, you’ll see a much more complicated picture. As of mid-January 2026, the stock is hovering right around $88.05. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster, honestly. Just today, it dipped about half a percent, continuing a trend that has seen the streaming giant shed nearly 30% of its value since those dizzying highs we saw in the summer of 2025.

If you’re checking the ticker symbols, you’ve probably noticed the 52-week range is massive—anywhere from $82 to $134. That’s a lot of room for heart palpitations. But why the sudden chill?

Basically, the market is playing a game of "what have you done for me lately?" Even though Netflix crossed the massive 300 million subscriber milestone—301.6 million to be exact—investors are getting twitchy. They’re looking past the subscriber count (which Netflix actually stopped reporting regularly anyway) and focusing on the messy, expensive business of buying out rivals and building an ad empire from scratch.

The Warner Bros. Elephant in the Room

You can't talk about the current price without mentioning the bid for Warner Bros. Discovery. It’s the $82.7 billion question. Netflix is basically trying to "re-aggregate" the streaming world, which is a fancy way of saying they want to be the one-stop-shop for everything.

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Investors aren't totally sold yet.

Some people are worried about the debt. Others are worried about "merger indigestion." This massive acquisition is one of the main reasons the stock has been underperforming the broader entertainment industry lately. While other media stocks were up about 7%, Netflix was down 25% over the last few months. It’s a classic case of the market hating uncertainty. There's even talk of Netflix switching to an all-cash offer to fend off competition from Paramount Skydance, which adds another layer of drama to the share price.

Earnings Are Just Around the Corner

If you’re holding shares or thinking about buying, circle January 20, 2026 on your calendar. That’s the Q4 2025 earnings call.

Analysts like those at Monness, Crespi, Hardt are staying "Neutral" for now, but the expectations are actually pretty high. We’re looking for revenue around $11.97 billion. That’s a 17% jump from last year. If they miss that, or if the guidance for the rest of 2026 looks shaky, that $88 support level might start to feel like thin ice.

The real star of the show won't be "Stranger Things" (though the final season is a huge deal for 2026). It’ll be the advertising revenue.

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  • Ad-tier growth: Currently, the ad-supported plan has over 94 million monthly active users.
  • The pivot: 40% of all new sign-ups are choosing the ad version.
  • The goal: Management wants ad revenue to double again this year.

What the Big Banks Are Saying

It’s a total split decision on Wall Street right now.

Goldman Sachs recently trimmed their price target to $112, down from $130. They’re playing it safe with a "Neutral" rating. On the other hand, HSBC just came out with a "Buy" rating, calling this recent slump a massive opportunity and setting a target of $107. Then you have the ultra-bulls at Wedbush and other firms looking at $130+ targets, arguing that once the Warner Bros. deal is digested, the "Great Re-Aggregation" will make Netflix an unstoppable cash machine.

Is the Stock Cheap or a Value Trap?

Honestly, it depends on how you value growth. At a P/E ratio of about 36, it’s not exactly "bargain bin" pricing, but it's a far cry from the triple-digit multiples it used to command.

The company is betting big on live events—think WWE and those NFL Christmas Day games that everyone was talking about. If they can prove that Netflix is the new "live TV," the valuation could reset much higher. If it just feels like another expensive content library, it might stay stuck in this $80–$90 range for a while.

Actionable Insights for Investors

If you’re looking at what is netflix stock price and trying to decide your next move, keep these factors in your pocket:

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  1. Watch the $82 Level: This has been the floor for the last 52 weeks. If it breaks below that, things could get ugly.
  2. Monitor Ad-Tier Progress: On the Jan 20th call, listen for "ARM" (Average Revenue per Membership). If they are making more money from ad-tier users than from the basic ad-free tier, that’s a huge win.
  3. The Merger News: Any official update on the Warner Bros. Discovery bid will likely cause a 5–10% swing in either direction.
  4. Content Slate: 2026 is the year of "Stranger Things 5" and "3 Body Problem" Season 2. Huge cultural moments usually correlate with lower churn rates.

Before making any moves, pull up the latest filings on the SEC's EDGAR database or check the investor relations page for the exact transcript of the upcoming Q4 call. The numbers usually tell a clearer story than the headlines.