15 Best True Crime Podcasts You Should Be Listening To Right Now
15 Best True Crime Podcasts You Should Be Listening To Right Now
By Laura Baxendale, Editor-in-Chief at PodRanker.com
There's a reason true crime remains the single most popular podcast genre year after year. We're wired for mystery, drawn to the unanswered questions, and — let's be honest — slightly addicted to that spine-tingling feeling when a new piece of evidence drops mid-episode.
I've listened to hundreds of true crime shows at this point. Some are brilliantly produced; others are little more than Wikipedia recaps read aloud. This list? These are the ones I genuinely couldn't stop listening to — the shows I've binged, recommended to friends, and come back to again and again.
Whether you're a longtime true crime obsessive or just dipping your toes into the genre, here are 15 true crime podcasts that deserve your time.
1. Serial
The show that launched a thousand podcasts. Serial remains the gold standard for long-form investigative journalism in audio. Sarah Koenig's Season 1 investigation into the murder of Hae Min Lee is still the best entry point into true crime podcasting — the way she unravels the timeline in episodes 5 and 6 is genuinely masterful. Season 2 (about Bowe Bergdahl) divided people, but Season 3's look at the Cleveland criminal justice system might be the most underrated season of any podcast, period. Serial hasn't released new material in a while, but the existing seasons hold up remarkably well.
Why listen: The original long-form true crime podcast. Season 1 and 3 are essential.
2. Crime Junkie
Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat have built something special with Crime Junkie. The format is tight — usually under an hour — and the storytelling is clean, well-researched, and consistently engaging. Their episode on the Suzanne Morphew disappearance was the one that got me hooked — the way they structured the timeline was textbook. They've expanded into original investigations, which adds a fresh dimension. This is the podcast I recommend to anyone who says, "I want to get into true crime but don't know where to start."
Why listen: Accessible, addictive, and perfectly paced for your commute.
3. Casefile True Crime
If you prefer your true crime without host banter and celebrity interviews, Casefile is your show. The anonymous Australian narrator delivers cases with a documentary precision that's become legendary in the genre. The research is impeccable, the narration atmospheric, and the cases are drawn from around the world — not just the usual American cases you hear everywhere else.
Why listen: Pure, no-frills storytelling at its finest. International case selection.
4. My Favorite Murder
Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark proved that true crime and comedy could coexist, and their massive fan community ("Murderinos") remains one of the most engaged podcast audiences on the planet. The show has evolved significantly since its early days, with better research and more nuanced conversations about victims and justice. The live shows are still electric.
Why listen: If you want true crime with personality, warmth, and humor.
5. Dateline NBC
The legendary TV news program translates brilliantly to podcast form. Dateline episodes offer the kind of production value you'd expect from a major network, with access to law enforcement, families, and courtroom footage that independent podcasters simply can't match. Keith Morrison's narration alone is worth the subscription.
Why listen: Network-level production with unparalleled access to sources.
6. Murdaugh Murders Podcast
Mandy Matney's dogged reporting on the Murdaugh family saga in South Carolina is a masterclass in local investigative journalism. What started as a regional story became a national obsession, and this podcast was ahead of the curve every step of the way. Even as the main trial has concluded, the ripple effects continue to unfold, and Matney is still the best source for updates.
Why listen: The definitive source for one of the most complex crime stories of the decade.
7. Someone Knows Something
CBC's David Ridgen brings a unique approach — he doesn't just investigate cold cases; he inserts himself into the communities where they happened. The emotional resonance of these investigations sets this show apart. Each season follows a single case, giving Ridgen the space to go deep.
Why listen: Emotionally intelligent investigation with real impact on cold cases.
8. RedHanded
UK-based hosts Hannah Maguire and Suruthi Bala bring a global perspective that American-centric true crime listeners desperately need. Their cases span continents, and they're not afraid to dig into the psychology, sociology, and systemic failures behind crimes. The banter is sharp, the research thorough.
Why listen: Global scope with smart cultural analysis.
9. Bear Brook ⭐ Completed Series
This limited series about the Bear Brook murders in New Hampshire is a stunning piece of audio journalism. It's the story of how cutting-edge DNA technology helped identify victims in one of America's most confounding cold cases. Note: This is a completed miniseries (2018) with a definitive ending — no new episodes coming, but the story is complete and deeply satisfying.
Why listen: A complete, self-contained masterpiece. Perfect gateway for new listeners who want a story with an ending.
10. The Prosecutors
Former prosecutors Alice LaCour and Brett Talley bring something invaluable: legal expertise. They break down high-profile cases from the prosecution's perspective, explaining legal strategy, evidence rules, and courtroom dynamics in ways that make you feel like you're inside the courtroom. Essential listening for anyone tired of speculation without legal grounding.
Why listen: Informed legal analysis that actually explains why cases unfold the way they do.
11. Counterclock
Delia D'Ambra is one of the most talented investigative journalists working in podcasting today. Each season of Counterclock follows a single cold case with extraordinary rigor. The pacing is deliberate, the research exhaustive, and D'Ambra's dedication to the victims' families is palpable.
Why listen: Deep-dive investigations that consistently deliver new revelations.
12. Criminal
Phoebe Judge's voice is iconic for a reason. Criminal takes a broader view of crime — not every episode is about murder. You'll hear about art theft, con artists, strange laws, and the human stories behind criminal acts. It's true crime for people who care about storytelling as much as the crime itself.
Why listen: Beautifully produced stories that expand your definition of "true crime."
13. Suspect (Wondery)
Created by the team at Wondery and Campside Media, Suspect digs into cases where the wrong person may have been convicted — or where the real perpetrator was never caught. The first season, about a doctor accused of murdering his wife in a case built almost entirely on circumstantial evidence, is a tightly constructed piece of audio journalism. What sets it apart is the restraint — it doesn't sensationalize, it just lays out the facts and lets you wrestle with the ambiguity.
Why listen: For when you want true crime that makes you think, not just react.
14. In the Dark 🏆 Completed Series
APM Reports produced two seasons of In the Dark that represent some of the finest investigative journalism of the 21st century — in any medium. Season 2, about Curtis Flowers and his six trials for the same crime in Mississippi, is particularly extraordinary. Note: Both seasons are complete (2016-2020). While no new episodes are planned, the existing seasons stand as landmark achievements in investigative journalism that actually led to real justice.
Why listen: Award-winning investigative journalism that changed a man's life.
15. Suspect
Created by the team at Wondery and Campside Media, Suspect digs into cases where the wrong person may have been convicted — or where the real perpetrator was never caught. The first season, about a doctor accused of murdering his wife in a case built almost entirely on circumstantial evidence, is a tightly constructed piece of audio journalism. What sets it apart is the restraint — it doesn't sensationalize, it just lays out the facts and lets you wrestle with the ambiguity.
Why listen: For when you want true crime that makes you think, not just react.
How to Choose the Right True Crime Podcast for You
With so many excellent shows, it helps to know what you're looking for:
- New to true crime? Start with Crime Junkie or Bear Brook — both are accessible and well-paced.
- Want deep investigations? Serial, In the Dark, and Counterclock go deeper than anyone.
- Prefer a lighter tone? My Favorite Murder and Criminal balance true crime with warmth and humor.
- Love courtroom drama? The Prosecutors and Dateline give you that legal perspective.
- International cases? Casefile and RedHanded look beyond American borders.
Getting the Best Listening Experience
A great podcast deserves great audio. If you're serious about your true crime listening, investing in a quality pair of noise-cancelling headphones makes a genuine difference — especially for shows like Casefile and Sword and Scale where the atmospheric sound design is half the experience.
And if any of these shows inspire you to start your own true crime podcast, tools like Podsqueeze can help you generate show notes, timestamps, and transcripts automatically — saving hours of production time.
Final Thoughts
True crime podcasting in 2026 is more sophisticated than ever. The best shows aren't just recounting crimes — they're investigating them, challenging assumptions, and giving victims a voice. The 15 podcasts on this list represent the very best the genre has to offer.
I'll be updating this list throughout the year as new shows emerge and existing ones release new seasons. Bookmark this page and check back — there's always another case worth investigating.
What's your favorite true crime podcast? Did I miss one that deserves a spot on this list? Drop me a line — I'm always looking for my next obsession.
Laura Baxendale is the Editor-in-Chief of PodRanker.com. She has yet to find a true crime series she can listen to before bed without regretting it.