25 Top True Crime Podcasts To Binge

Like true crime books, the best true crime podcasts plunge you into a world of murder, deception and duplicity while letting you stay safely away from the fray. They lay out the story of what drove a criminal to commit a dangerous but sometimes lucrative or vengeful crime, helping listeners better understand criminal psychology. Listening to true crime fulfills our desire for the thrill of the chase without actually putting us out there to track someone down. True crime podcasts have skyrocketed in popularity over the past decade, with a third of those who listen to podcasts saying they have listened to a true crime podcast. This list of the top true crime podcasts will appeal to everyone’s tastes, documenting crimes ranging from serial murder to faking an illness to get donations to kidnapping and more.

Top True Crime Podcasts

The true crime podcast genre took off in 2014, when the popular public media radio show This American Life premiered a podcast called Serial, taking a second look at a long-resolved murder case. The show became a sensation, getting 80 million downloads in its first two years and sparking a boom in true crime podcasts.

Today, there are thousands of true crime podcasts. Listeners are more likely to be female than male, and 41% of regular podcast listeners who listen to true crime are ages 18-49. Based on average daily rankings of top podcasts on Apple and Spotify, true crime is the No. 1 genre. The podcasts included on this list are based on popularity, listener data from top podcast charts, online buzz and uniqueness of the subject matter.

25. Sistas Who Kill: A True Crime Podcast (2020)

Hosted by MaRah and Taz, best friends since high school, the podcast looks at Black women killers from an interesting angle: showing how the justice system treats them differently than white women murderers. The show has become so popular the podcasters now do this full time.

This podcast is best for true crime lovers who are also interested in social justice. You can listen to Sistas Who Kill on iTunes, Spotify, Audible, Everand and iHeartRadio.

24. Hands Off My Podcast: True Crime (2022)

Hosted by Jasmine Castillo, Hands Off My Podcast bills itself as taking an “ethical” approach to true crime. Castillo shows the human side of crime, using her platform to amplify those who have been silenced or ignored, “focusing on the #MMIP2S, #AANHPI, #BIPOC, and #LGBTQ communities.”

This podcast is best for those who would like to help true crime victims and not just hear about their tragedies. You can listen to Hands Off My Podcast on iTunes, PodChaser, Rephonic and TuneIn.

23. Root of Evil (2019)

Hosted by Rasha Pecoraro and Yvette Gentile, Root of Evil is an offshoot of the TNT drama I Am the Night, about the infamous 1947 unsolved Black Dahlia murder. The hosts are the great-granddaughters of George Handel, who’s believed to have committed the crime. Their perspective elevates discourse around a much-discussed case.

This podcast is best for anyone who loves noir and moody detective novels. You can listen to Root of Evil on iTunes, Pandora, Podbean, iHeartRadio and Spotify.

22. Tom Brown’s Body (2023)

Hosted by Skip Hollandsworth, whose soothing voice is half the reason to tune in, this podcast explores the 2016 disappearance of high school senior Tom Brown and the botched investigation into his death. It is as much a portrait of the personalities involved as a true crime effort.

This podcast is best for those OK with unresolved endings. You can listen to Tom Brown’s Body on iTunes, Spotify and Amazon Music.

21. Morbid (2018)

Hosted by autopsy tech Alaina Urquhart and her niece, Ash Kelley, a hairdresser, Morbid is a lighthearted take on murder, with the pair choosing a famous (or sometimes not-as-famous) crime to dive into each week. Their entertaining personalities, and not necessarily any new insights, are the reason to tune in.

This podcast is best for people who love talking true crime with their friends. You can listen to Morbid on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, Wondery and Pandora.

20. Bear Brook (2018)

Hosted by New Hampshire Public Radio’s Jason Moon, Bear Brook season one focuses on a long-cold case that originated in Bear Brook State Park. When new evidence comes to light decades later, the case is reopened, and Moon shares his reporting. Season two is also good but has a different focus (a possibly wrongly convicted killer).

This podcast is best for those who love a gripping narrative and character development. You can listen to Bear Brook on iTunes, Spotify, iHeartRadio and Audible.

19. In the Dark (2016)

Hosted by Madeleine Baran for The New Yorker, this podcast bills itself as long-form investigative journalism. It does deep dives into cases that had unsatisfactory conclusions and demand more attention. The reporting is top-notch, and the narrative builds suspense.

This podcast is best for fans of New Yorker-like profiles and deep dives into a single subject. You can listen to In the Dark on iTunes, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Audible and Pandora.

18. The Missing Found Podcast (2022)

Hosted by Jadyn Harlow, this mission-driven podcast brings attention to the many cases of missing Black and Brown people who receive minimal public attention and lackuster police efforts. Harlow highlights the untold stories of the missing as a service to their families in hopes of helping them return.

This podcast is best for people who want to be part of the solution to the missing persons problem. You can listen to The Missing Found Podcast on iTunes, Spotify and iHeartRadio.

17. The Dropout (2019)

Hosted by Rebecca Jarvis, The Dropout chronicles the stunning duplicity of Elizabeth Holmes, the Stanford dropout who bilked investors out of millions through her startup Theranos, which never delivered on its promise to deliver test results with a drop of blood. The ABC News podcast inspired the Hulu series The Dropout.

This podcast is best for those who loved the well-done Hulu series or prefer mostly bloodless (excuse the very apt pun) true crime. You can listen to The Dropout on iTunes, ABC Audio, Spotify, Amazon Music and Podbean.

16. West Cork (2018)

Hosted by Jennifer Forde and Sam Bungey, the podcast revisits the 1996 unsolved murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier, a French film producer. The podcast includes new interviews and evidence, raising questions about why the suspect was never arrested and how his continued presence in the community has played out in West Cork, Ireland.

This podcast is best for fans of independent film and British crime dramas. You can listen to West Cork on iTunes, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and Podbean.

15. Suspect (2021)

Hosted by Ashley Fantz and Matthew Shaer, Suspect examines cases when the justice system broke down and reconsiders the decisions by detectives, attorneys, jurors and more that led to those miscarriages. It’s an impactful listen with a very devoted audience.

This podcast is best for those who like to wonder “what if.” You can listen to Suspect on iTunes, Wondery, Spotify, Amazon Music and Audible.

14. Dark Asia with Megan (2023)

Hosted by Megan Lee, this show about crimes committed in Asia and against Asian people doesn’t shy away from the gore—two early episodes cover a man who nailed himself to a cross and a high school girl’s missing hands. Lee’s witty, engaging commentary makes this one special.

This podcast is best for those looking for a podcast focused on more international, global stories. You can listen to Dark Asia with Megan on iTunes, Spotify, Podtail, Podbean and Podchaser.

13. The Red Note (2020)

Hosted by Lydia Cacho, The Red Note investigates the Juarez femicides and made headlines worldwide upon its debut, being named to yearly “best of” lists in Germany, Mexico and Paraguay. The podcast has hit the No. 1 spot on both Apple and Spotify’s true crime weekly top shows.

This podcast is best for true crime fans who want to listen in Spanish and those concerned about violence against women. You can listen to The Red Note on iTunes, Audible, Podtail and Cumulus Pod Network.

12. The Shrink Next Door (2019)

Hosted by Bloomberg columnist Joe Nocera, the podcast details what happened after Nocera’s neighbor in the Hamptons fled without a trace and everyone learned he wasn’t what he appeared to be (a therapist who threw star-studded parties). AppleTV+ turned this into a lauded show with Paul Rudd and Will Ferrell.

This podcast is best for those who love a weird story. You can listen to The Shrink Next Door on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio and Wondery.

11. Crime Junkie (2017)

Hosted by Ashley Flowers and Brit Pawat, the podcast is another of the more casual approaches to true crime discussions, framed as “whatever case Ashley is obsessing about.” Crime Junkie won the 2024 iHeart Podcast Awards Best Crime Podcast, and its relatability (like talking to friends) is a big part of its appeal.

This podcast is best for people obsessed with true crime who value breadth over depth of content. You can listen to Crime Junkie on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio and Audible.

10. Buried Bones (2022)

Hosted by journalist Kate Winkler Dawson and retired investigator Paul Holes, Buried Bones takes a fresh look at famous true crime cases from previous centuries. The hosts’ exceptional grasp of history and investigative techniques and the historical focus make this podcast unique and enjoyable.

This podcast is best for history lovers. You can listen to Buried Bones on iTunes, Exactly Right, Audible, Podbean and iHeartRadio.

9. Scamanda (2023)

Hosted by Charlie Webster, this podcast uncovers the truth behind a blogger and seemingly perfect all-American mom who claimed to have cancer and profited from the generosity of others—until her lies collapsed on her and her seemingly complicit husband. The lively storytelling made this a hit upon its release.

This podcast is best for anyone who’s ever been suspicious of an influencer’s dubious claim. You can listen to Scamanda on iTunes, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and Podbean.

8. White Lies (2019)

Hosted by Chip Brantley and Andrew Beck Grace, White Lies is a Pulitzer Prize finalist from NPR News doing investigative deep dives into important cases. Season one looked at what really happened in the murder of a white pastor in the South, while season two studied a prison takeover by Cuban detainees.

This podcast is best for those who like bigger-picture takes on what true crime means. You can listen to White Lies on iTunes, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Podtail and Podbean.

7. Black Girl Gone: A True Crime Podcast (2021)

Hosted by husband-and-wife team Amara and Jason Cofer, Black Girl Gone shines a light on the families left behind when Black women and girls disappear. It’s no secret that these cases get less attention than the disappearance of white women, and the couple hold those in power accountable for that disparity.

This podcast is best for social justice advocates looking for ways to act. You can listen to Black Girl Gone on iTunes, Spotify, iHeartRadio and Audible.

6. Down the Hill (2020)

Hosted by Andrew Iden and Barbara MacDonald, the podcast puts the investigative powers of HLN to work on the case of two murdered girls. The main clue is a recording on one of the girl’s phones of a man telling them to go “down the hill.” The podcast builds to a big conclusion.

This podcast is best for those who love when a reopened case gains traction. You can listen to Down the Hill on iTunes, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Audible and Podbay.

5. Dr. Death (2018)

Hosted by Laura Beil, this podcast ranks among the most popular of all time and was turned into a Peacock series. Each season does a deep dive on a doctor who took advantage of the public trust and betrayed it in the worst, most hurtful and criminal ways.

This podcast is best for those who like some heft to their investigations. You can listen to Dr. Death on iTunes, Wondery, Spotify, Amazon Music and iHeartRadio.

4. Your Own Backyard (2019)

Hosted by freelance journalist Chris Lambert, Your Own Backyard looks into the 1996 disappearance of Kristin Smart, a Cal Poly student, from a party. The podcast claimed more than 12 million downloads in its first year, and it sparked a reinvestigation of the case, leading to two arrests.

This podcast is best for those who like seeing results from podcast investigations. You can listen to Your Own Backyard on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, Podbean and iHeartRadio.

3. My Favorite Murder (2016)

Hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, this incredibly popular podcast drove the rise of the genre following the success of Serial. It’s the rare true crime comedy, as the hosts pick cases that interest them but also joke about the absurdities of the criminal mind. My Favorite Murder often tops true crime charts.

This podcast is best for those who aren’t offended by true crime laughs. You can listen to My Favorite Murder on iTunes, Exactly Right, Spotify and Audible.

2. Criminal: A Podcast About Crime (2014)

Hosted by Phoebe Judge, this podcast was described by The New Yorker as “one of the most expansive, compassionate portraits of the lives of real people caught up in crime.” Each week tells a different story of how crime impacts lives. Every episode makes you think.

This podcast is best for those who like thinking about the bigger picture related to true crime and its impact on society. You can listen to Criminal on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible and Pandora.

1. Serial (2014)

Could there be any other No. 1? Serial is the podcast that started the true crime craze with host Sarah Koenig’s deep dive into the 1999 killing of Hae Min Lee that raised questions about the conviction of Adnan Masud Syed. While subsequent seasons have been uneven, season one is close to perfection.

This podcast is best for true crime beginners or anyone feeling nostalgic for the earlier, more earnest days of podcasting. You can listen to Serial on iTunes,

Bottom Line

True crime podcasts offer the perfect blend of escapism, horror and sometimes even a little hope. All the best true crime podcasts on this list will put you on the edge of your seat as you queue up episode after episode to get to the truth.