15 Best True Crime Podcasts in 2026 (Can't Stop Listening)
True crime is the most popular podcast genre in the world, and for good reason — a gripping investigation is impossible to stop listening to. Whether you're into cold cases, courtroom dramas, forensic deep dives, or investigative journalism that actually changes outcomes, there's something here for you. These are the 15 best true crime podcasts worth your time in 2026.
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. Crime Junkie
Hosted by Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat, Crime Junkie is one of the biggest podcasts in the world 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. If you're new to true crime podcasts, start here.
2. 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 entirely — from Australian cold cases to European mysteries. Episodes range from 30 minutes to multi-part deep dives that can span 4+ hours. The narration is calm and deliberate, letting the facts speak for themselves.
3. Dateline NBC
Dateline has been investigating crimes on television since 1992, and the podcast version brings that same quality to your earbuds. Keith Morrison, Andrea Canning, and Josh Mankiewicz narrate cases with a polished, professional edge. The back catalogue is enormous — hundreds of episodes covering everything from murder-for-hire plots to wrongful convictions. A reliable source of well-produced true crime storytelling.
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, and they coined the phrase "stay sexy, don't get murdered." The show has spawned live tours, books, and an entire podcast network. Start with the earlier episodes to see how the format evolved.
5. Morbid
Alaina Urquhart and Ash Kelley cover everything from well-known serial killers to obscure historical cases. Alaina's background as an autopsy technician adds a forensic edge you won't find elsewhere — she can explain cause of death and evidence collection in a way that makes the science accessible. Episodes mix deep research with genuine banter between the hosts.
6. Up and Vanished
Filmmaker Payne Lindsey investigates real unsolved disappearances, and the first season actually helped lead to an arrest in the 2005 disappearance of Tara Grinstead in Georgia. Each season picks a single cold case and follows it in real time as new leads emerge. It's investigative journalism that has real consequences — one of the few true crime podcasts that has genuinely changed the outcome of a case.
7. Anatomy of Murder
Co-hosted by former New York City prosecutor Anna-Sigga Nicolazzi and investigative journalist Scott Weinberger, Anatomy of Murder brings real expertise to every episode. They break down cases from the perspectives of both law enforcement and the legal system, explaining how evidence is gathered and why prosecutors make the decisions they do. Essential listening if you want to understand how cases are actually built.
8. Sword and Scale
Hosted by Mike Boudet, Sword and Scale uses real audio from 911 calls, courtroom recordings, and interviews to tell stories that are unsettling and hard to forget. The production quality is exceptional, with raw audio woven into the narrative in a way that puts you right in the middle of the case. It doesn't shy away from the darkest cases, so it's not for the faint-hearted.
9. Rotten Mango
Stephanie Soo covers international true crime cases that rarely get attention in English-language media — from South Korean serial killers to Japanese kidnapping cases. Her storytelling is gripping and she digs into the cultural context behind each case, explaining how local laws and social norms shaped what happened. One of the fastest-growing true crime podcasts, and for good reason.
10. Dark History
Bailey Sarian — who built a massive following on YouTube with her "Murder, Mystery and Makeup" series — hosts Dark History, which blends true crime with the darker side of history. She covers everything from historical serial killers to corrupt institutions, connecting past events to present-day consequences. Her casual, conversational delivery makes even the heaviest topics feel like a chat with a friend.
11. True Crime Obsessed
Patrick Hinds and Gillian Pensavalle recap true crime documentaries with sharp commentary and genuine laughs. If you've just watched a Netflix doc and need someone to debrief with, this is your podcast. They balance humour with respect for the cases, and their chemistry makes every episode feel like catching up with friends who happen to be obsessed with the same shows you are.
12. Bear Brook
A limited series that tells one of the most extraordinary true crime stories ever uncovered. In 1985, a hunter found a barrel containing the bodies of a woman and a child in Bear Brook State Park, New Hampshire. Fifteen years later, two more bodies appeared in a second barrel nearby. Reporter Jason Moon follows the decades-long investigation, including the groundbreaking use of genetic genealogy that finally identified the victims and the killer. A masterpiece of podcast storytelling.
13. Killer Psyche
Former FBI special agent Candice DeLong uses her real-world experience profiling criminals to analyse what drives killers. Each episode examines a different case through a psychological lens — why did they do it, what were the warning signs, and how did investigators piece it together? If shows like Mindhunter fascinate you, Killer Psyche delivers the real-life equivalent with someone who actually worked those cases.
14. Suspect
A Wondery and Campside Media production, Suspect investigates cases where the identity of the perpetrator — or even whether a crime occurred at all — is in question. The storytelling is cinematic and the production value is outstanding. Each season takes a single case and peels back layers of evidence, unreliable witnesses, and institutional failures that will make you question everything you think you know.
15. Last Podcast On The Left
Ben Kissel, Marcus Parks, and Henry Zebrowski tackle serial killers, cults, and the paranormal with deep research wrapped in dark comedy. Marcus does the heavy lifting on research — the show's multi-part series on figures like Jim Jones and the Donner Party are genuinely comprehensive. Episodes are long, loud, and occasionally chaotic, but the research is always thorough. If you want true crime that doesn't take itself too seriously, start here.
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.
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.
