The 15 Best True Crime Podcasts to Listen to When You Have Time to Kill
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below."
Set us up with some AirPods, a cup of coffee, and a blanket and we'll be set for the rest of the day, listening to the outcomes of trials, murder mysteries, unsolved cases, and startling stories on our phones. But with so many new podcasts flooding the super saturated true crime genre, you are probably wondering which series are among the best true crime podcasts.
Since most people don't have time to sift through thousands (!!) of Spotify and Apple Podcasts offerings, we've done the work for you, curating a list of the best true crime podcasts that will have you engrossed. For listeners fascinated by the psyches of the world's most prolific, serial murderers, try tuning into Serial Killing: A Podcast. Fans of history can learn all about the dark beginnings of everything from popcorn to boybands on Bailey Sarian's Dark History. And amateur detectives who are thrilled at the prospect of one day solving a case of your own can take a crack at old files by listening to Solved Murders: True Crime Stories.
From one-off shows, where each episode follows a different crime story, to serialized podcasts that dive deep into a case over multiple episodes, there's something in the mix for everyone. Lock your doors and turn the lights on, 'cause things are about to get spooky. Ahead, find the best true crime podcasts to listen to when you have some free time to kill.
Dark History With Bailey Sarian
Bailey Sarian, who is known for her GRWM-style series Murder Mystery & Makeup over on YouTube, launched her very own podcast in 2021. Listen to Sarian recount the horrific beginnings of household items and America in this binge-worthy series.
The Truth About True Crime with Amanda Knox
If anyone knows firsthand that true crime stories have numerous angles, it’s Amanda Knox (who was famously accused and later acquitted in the murder of her roommate Meredith Kercher). The latest season of her podcast focused on the murder of 18-year-old Jennifer Levin, who was found dead in Central Park in 1986.
Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Sundance Now
Crime Junkie
Hosted by childhood best friends Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat, this podcast covers popular cases (think Ed Kemper and The Clevland Strangler) and lesser-known (but equally important) ones that you may only hear about locally. As the co-hosts say, this series gives us "Full body chills."
Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Amazon Music
Killer Queens
If you love '90s references, Friends quotes, and sisterly sass, you'll love this on the lighter side, true crime podcast that recaps cases (and says what we're all really thinking 👀).
Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Amazon Music
Serial Killing: A Podcast
What exactly drives a serial killer to kill? This series explores the life stories of murders who commit multiple homicides, asking the question of whether they were born evil or conditioned to be violent.
Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Podchaser
Scam Goddess
Take a break from all of the gory details for a new kind of true-crime series that covers some of the best (and most absurd) financial crimes people have ever committed. Think, Inventing Anna vibes, but in podcast form.
Solved Murders: True Crime Stories
Find out what it takes to catch a killer alongside co-hosts Wenndy Mackenzie and Carter Roy as they unravel missing details and clues in iconic homicide cases.
Dark House
Shining a spotlight on some of America’s creepiest homes, hosts and House Beautiful editors Hadley Mendelsohn and Alyssa Fiorentino dive into the twisted tales of different abodes, revealing who lived (and died) there, as well as the strange occurrences that suggest some spirits, may still linger.
Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple Podcasts
Unsolved Murders: True Crime Stories
With an ensemble cast voicing figures involved in each murder, this series brings to life true cold cases and unsolved murders. It's like the Golden Era of radio and soap operas all over again!
True Crime With Kendall Rae
With over 3.36 Million followers tuning into Kendall Rae's true crime YouTube channel since 2016, the next obvious step for her was to start a podcast. If you're fans of her OG content, you'll love this series.
Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Amazon Music
My Favorite Murder
No one mixes true crime and comedy quite like Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. As the name suggests, the pair take turns telling the tale of their "favorite" murders twice a week.
Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Amazon Music
Park Predators
Outdoor enthusiasts beware — you may rethink your camping trip after hearing from Delia D’Ambra about what can happen when one is alone in the wilderness.
Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Amazon Music
In the Dark
This two-time Peabody Award-winning podcast won for a good reason — the series actually cleared the name of Curtis Flowers, a man who had been tried six times for a quadruple murder that took place in 1996. The team also uncovered how law enforcement mishandled the famous child abduction case of Jacob Wetterling.
Ridiculous Crime
The true-crime podcast isn't all about gore and horror. Case in point: Ridiculous Crime, which focuses on the most bizarre (and often hilarious) tales of cons, thefts, and kidnappings.
Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on iHeart
You Might Also Like
