12 best true crime podcasts to listen to
If you love a good mystery, these true crime podcasts will have you hooked. We picked shows with real investigative reporting, not just clickbait retellings.
Find podcasts worth your time by topic, where you listen and how often new episodes come out. Navid's picks come first.
This is a list of the best true crime podcasts.
In fact, it has 12 of them, with Navid's picks first.
So if you want true crime podcasts worth your time, you'll love this list.
If you love a good mystery, these true crime podcasts will have you hooked. We picked shows with real investigative reporting, not just clickbait retellings.
Here's what's inside:
- Sweet Bobby by Tortoise Media
- DISGRACELAND by Jake Brennan
- Crime Junkie by Ashley Flowers
- American Radical by MSNBC
- Serial by Sarah Koenig
- Criminal by Phoebe Judge
- S-Town by Brian Reed
- This Is Actually Happening by Wondery
- Murder, Mystery & Makeup by Bailey Sarian
- Mafia Tapes by iHeart
- Anatomy of Murder by audiochuck
- Crimes of the Centuries by Amber Hunt
Each one comes with what it covers and who it's for.
What are the best true crime podcasts?
Here's the list at a glance.
Sweet Bobby- Host
- Tortoise Media
- Episodes
- Weekly
DISGRACELAND- Host
- Jake Brennan
- Episodes
- Weekly
Crime Junkie- Host
- Ashley Flowers
- Episodes
- Weekly
American Radical- Host
- MSNBC
- Episodes
- Weekly
Serial- Host
- Sarah Koenig
- Episodes
- Monthly
Criminal- Host
- Phoebe Judge
- Episodes
- Weekly
S-Town- Host
- Brian Reed
- Episodes
- Monthly
This Is Actually Happening- Host
- Wondery
- Episodes
- Weekly
Murder, Mystery & Makeup- Host
- Bailey Sarian
- Episodes
- Weekly
Mafia Tapes- Host
- iHeart
- Episodes
- Weekly
Anatomy of Murder- Host
- audiochuck
- Episodes
- Weekly
Crimes of the Centuries- Host
- Amber Hunt
- Episodes
- Weekly
Top 12 true crime podcasts
1. Sweet Bobby by Tortoise Media
A true story of a decade-long catfishing deception that unravels into something far more sinister than anyone expected.
How often: Weekly
Listen to Sweet Bobby · More about Sweet Bobby
2. DISGRACELAND by Jake Brennan
Jake Brennan explores the criminal connections and dark stories behind music's most famous artists.
How often: Weekly
Listen to DISGRACELAND · More about DISGRACELAND
3. Crime Junkie by Ashley Flowers
Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat cover true crime cases with meticulous research and compelling storytelling every Monday.
How often: Weekly
Listen to Crime Junkie · More about Crime Junkie
4. American Radical by MSNBC
MSNBC investigates the story of an American who went undercover in some of the most dangerous extremist groups.
How often: Weekly
Listen to American Radical · More about American Radical
5. Serial by Sarah Koenig
Sarah Koenig's groundbreaking investigative journalism podcast that redefined true crime storytelling.
How often: Monthly
Listen to Serial · More about Serial
6. Criminal by Phoebe Judge
Phoebe Judge explores stories of crime with nuance, empathy, and masterful storytelling.
How often: Weekly
Listen to Criminal · More about Criminal
7. S-Town by Brian Reed
Brian Reed's genre-defying investigation of a murder claim in small-town Alabama reveals far more than expected.
How often: Monthly
Listen to S-Town · More about S-Town
8. This Is Actually Happening by Wondery
Real people share extraordinary true stories of life-altering events, told in their own words.
How often: Weekly
Listen to This Is Actually Happening · More about This Is Actually Happening
9. Murder, Mystery & Makeup by Bailey Sarian
Bailey Sarian covers true crime while doing her makeup, creating a unique and wildly popular format.
How often: Weekly
Listen to Murder, Mystery & Makeup · More about Murder, Mystery & Makeup
10. Mafia Tapes by iHeart
Newly released FBI recordings reveal the secret world of the American Mafia from the inside.
How often: Weekly
Listen to Mafia Tapes · More about Mafia Tapes
11. Anatomy of Murder by audiochuck
Former New York City homicide prosecutor and investigator break down real murder cases.
How often: Weekly
Listen to Anatomy of Murder · More about Anatomy of Murder
12. Crimes of the Centuries by Amber Hunt
Amber Hunt examines the crimes that defined their eras and changed history.
How often: Weekly
Listen to Crimes of the Centuries · More about Crimes of the Centuries
Final thoughts on true crime podcasts
The best true crime podcast is the one you come back to. Pick 2 or 3 from this list, give them a month, and keep the ones you look forward to.
Navid Moazzez
AI business strategist & AI OS builder
Navid Moazzez helps creators and founders master AI and build their own AI Operating System (AI OS) to automate their business and life.
Navid.me is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this site, I may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.
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