8 Best True Crime Podcasts You Won't Be Able to Stop Listening To

True crime is the most popular podcast genre in the world, and for good reason — a gripping investigation is impossible to stop listening to. Here are 8 of the best.

Waking up with a podcast on iOS

Podcast Alarm is a fully featured podcast player and alarm. You can set up queues of your favourite episodes and listen to them whenever you like. Why not subscribe to your favourite podcast and have the latest episode wake you up every weekday morning. There are lots of screenshots and videos in our "How to set a podcast as an alarm on iphone?" blog post.

1. Serial

The one that started it all. Season one investigated the 1999 murder of Hae Min Lee and became the fastest podcast to reach 5 million downloads. Each season tackles a different case with the depth and storytelling of a great novel. If you haven't listened yet, start here.

2. Crime Junkie

Hosted by Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat, Crime Junkie is the number two podcast in the US with over 3 billion downloads. Every Monday, they cover a new case in a tight, well-researched 30–45 minute episode. The format is consistent and addictive — perfect for a weekly listen.

3. Casefile True Crime

An Australian podcast with an anonymous host, Casefile stands out for its meticulous research and respectful treatment of victims. It covers international cases that other podcasts miss, with episodes ranging from 30 minutes to multi-part deep dives.

4. My Favorite Murder

Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark blend true crime with comedy in a way that shouldn't work but absolutely does. Their conversational style and genuine friendship make heavy topics more approachable. The show has spawned live tours, books, and an entire podcast network.

5. Somebody Knows Something

CBC journalist David Ridgen reopens cold cases and actually makes progress on them. This is investigative journalism at its best — Ridgen has helped lead to real-world breakthroughs in unsolved cases. Each season follows one story with remarkable depth.

6. In the Dark

Award-winning investigative journalism from APM Reports. Season two, which covers the case of Curtis Flowers, is widely considered one of the best podcast seasons ever made. It exposed serious problems in the American justice system and contributed to real legal outcomes.

7. Undisclosed

A deep dive into wrongful convictions, Undisclosed examines cases where the evidence doesn't add up. Hosted by attorneys, it brings legal expertise to cases that deserve a second look. If you finished Serial wanting more, this is your next listen.

8. RedHanded

British hosts Suruthi Bala and Hannah Maguire cover true crime from around the world with sharp analysis and dark humour. Their UK perspective sets them apart from the American-dominated true crime scene, and they consistently tackle lesser-known international cases.

Wake up to a mystery

Set any of these podcasts as your morning alarm with Podcast Alarm. There's no better motivation to get out of bed than finding out what happens next in a gripping investigation.