We love true crime here at Marie Claire, but there are some things a ripped-from-the-headlines Lifetime movie or Law & Order: SVU episode can’t capture. Podcasts have become one of the best mediums for the genre, allowing listeners to go deep on cases, form theories, and occasionally even help out the investigators in real-time. Sometimes an audio show follows a single shocking case across an entire season—or seasons—as the hosts dig up new evidence, unearth long-buried facts, and bring previously silent witnesses out of the shadows. Other times, they serve as anthologies of a seemingly endless list of crimes fitting into a specific theme, with one case explored per episode. Whatever the format, the best true crime podcasts say something about society while providing an intriguing narrative.
Whether you like to listen while community, deep-cleaning your home, or, you know, wind down with a truly horrific tale before bed, there are a lot of great true crime podcasts available—some with dozens of episodes. So below, we've rounded up the best true crime podcasts worth listening to.
"911 Calls Podcast with The Operator"
Hear from the world's most known middleman, a 911 phone operator. In each episode, you'll hear from two different 911 calls from around the world: one message relating to the world of crime, and one that will make you smile.
"American Scandal"
Major scandals are like a trainwreck: You can’t really look away. Whether it’s about a celebrity, a politician, or an entire corporation brought down by errors, lies, crimes, and misbehavior, scandals are as American as apple pie. This podcast from Wondery goes deep on some of the biggest ones to make headlines—the Exxon Valdez oil spill, the Iran Contra Affair, and steroid use among athletes—exploring why they happened and who took the fall.
"And That’s Why We Drink"
Murder and paranormal stories in one podcast? In the wise words of Hannah Montana, "It's the best of both worlds!" Hosted by Christine Schiefer and Em Schulz, the two friends discuss weekly out-of-this-world occurrences that are so outrageous there's no way they can be real... or can it? This pod has been downloaded over 80 million times and counting.
"Believed"
"Believed" charts the story of the former USA Gymnastics and Michigan State doctor Larry Nassar, who sexually abused the women under his care. Told through the victims’ eyes, this podcast traces how powerful men get away with their crimes.
"Beyond All Repair"
In 2002, Sophia Correia, newly married and with a baby on the way, was accused of the brutal murder of her mother-in-law. This 10-episode show delves into the case intending to determine whether Sophia was guilty. However, as each episode presents another plausible theory for what happened on the fateful day, you might leave the final installment with even more questions than when you started.
"Brainwashed"
The ability to control someone's mind seems like something out of a superhero comic book, and for the most part, it is... but not always. Host Michelle Shephard looks into one of the biggest conspiracies of all time, Project MKUltra. Many believe that the CIA produced several mind control experiments between the 1950s and '60s and never really stopped.
"Casefile"
Hosted by an anonymous Australian man, this gloomy podcast goes into excruciatingly researched detail about the play-by-plays of murder cases. That description is enough to give the heeby-jeebies, but a fair warning that this pod really does err on the side of extremely creepy.
"The Clearing"
Nearly 30 years after the 1980 murders of two teenagers in Wisconsin, a woman saw a news report about their unsolved deaths and called the police to share her (correct) suspicion that her father, Edward Wayne Edwards, was responsible. This eight-episode podcast follows the aftermath of April Balascio’s fateful 2009 call, which resulted in her father’s arrest and ultimately led her to investigate just how many other murders he may have committed.
"Conspiracy Theories"
Conspiracy theorists, rise! It's our time to shine. Hosts Molly Brandenburg and Carter Roy go deep into the world's most talked-about conspiracy theories, like whether Edgar Allen Poe really died from alcohol poisoning and the belief the Bush family had something to do with John F. Kennedy's assassination. Prepare to have your mind blown.
"Court Junkie"
A certain kind of relief comes with knowing the person(s) who did the crime is behind bars. But what if they aren't? "Court Junkie" looks at the criminal justice system and its role in true crime, from cases of arresting the wrong person to an "accident" being a murder investigation in disguise.
"Crime in Sports"
"Crime in Sports" is exactly what you think it is: a podcast about crime in the sports world. Two comedians, James Pietragallo and Jimmie Whisman look at athletes who were known for winning but somehow ended up losing big time to the law.
"Crime Junkie"
"Crime Junkie," one of the most popular and well-known shows of the genre, sees host Ashley Flowers giving all of the deets on a case to her bestie Brit Prawat. Tuning in feels like a conversation you might have with your friends about something in the headline or the stories that keep you up at night—but it's also the kind of pod that encourages taking action and further investigation to help keep these cases closed.
"Criminal"
One of the lovelier podcasts in the true crime genre, "Criminal" takes an almost Radiolab approach to the cases it presents, looking at not just the crimes but the motivations, cultural workings, and almost poetic undercurrents in each one. It’s a surprising and addictive listen, and with years of back catalog, there’s much to explore.
"Criminology"
When it comes to true crime, we're all about the details—which is why we can't stop listening to "Criminology." Most of the episodes focus on cold cases as the hosts zero in on the many different pieces of evidence that could lead to cracking the case.
"The Dating Game Killer"
From the same people who brought us "Dirty John" and "Dr. Death" is the six-part series "The Dating Game Killer." In 1978, Rodney Alcala won a date on the TV show The Dating Game. Little did the people know that he was a serial killer on the run, posing as many different people on the way. It's as bizarre as it seems.
"Forgotten: Women of Juarez"
El Paso journalist Mónica Ortiz Uribe looks at the border city of Ciudad Juárez, where hundreds of women have gone missing since the '90s and later found dead. When discovered, their bodies were carved with strange symbols, leading people to believe it was not just the work of a serial killer, but perhaps a Satanic cult.
"Generation Why"
Calling all true crime newbies: This is the podcast for you. The hosts, Aaron Habel and Justin Evans, have been around since 2012 and have the episode log to prove it, with hundreds of episodes to listen to.
"In the Dark"
Hosted by investigative journalist Madeleine Baran, this podcast reexamines two high-profile cases using deep data dives and a commitment to comprehensive sourcing to uncover exactly how law enforcement fails. The first season follows the disappearance of the child Jacob Wetterling, while the second entry focuses on the conviction of Curtis Flowers, a Black man from Mississippi who’s likely innocent.
"Killer Queens"
If you're into a little chitter-chat before getting down to the gritty details of a case you haven't heard before, add "Killer Queens" to your queue. The two hosts, Tyrella Slemp and Tori Brothers, are sisters who like to report on the latest cases but with their own kind of charm. Get ready for '90s references (always a good thing) and a cuss word or two.
"Last Seen"
For a less murder-heavy option, look no further than "Last Seen." It started in 2018 with a 10-episode season devoted to the (still-unsolved) 1990 heist of about half a billion dollars worth of art from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. The following installments took on more of an anthology feel—with season 2 telling the stories of people, places, and things that have mysteriously gone missing and season 3 allowing reporters to dive into the personal and political mysteries that haunt them—before returning to a single-story format, with the five-part season 4 exploring the illicit sale of human remains at Harvard Medical School.
"Mens Rea: A True Crime Podcast"
Mens Rea is a fancy way of saying "guilty mind," so naturally, this bi-monthly podcast focuses on crimes! The twist? The crimes took place in Ireland and the United Kingdom and looks at the court cases that followed each crime.
"Missing and Murdered: Finding Cleo"
In the 1970s, a young Saskatchewan Cree girl was taken from her family by social workers and adopted in the United States. After she disappeared without a trace, her family launched a decades-long search to find their daughter. CBC journalist Connie Walker joins the effort to uncover the truth about Cleo. The podcast doesn’t only dig up revelations about the missing persons case—it also gives us a look into the institutionalized oppression Indigenous people in Canada face.
"Morbid"
Across hundreds of episodes, Alaina Urquhart and Ash Kelley—an autopsy technician and hairstylist, respectively—highlight some of the creepiest and most unsettling crime stories in history, ranging from the histories of well-known serial killers like Ted Bundy and H. H. Holmes to the mysterious death of actress Brittany Murphy to stories of hauntings and exorcisms, and everything in between.
"Morbidology"
One of the most well-researched podcasts, "Morbidology" is the ultimate choice for listeners who want all the details. This weekly podcast hosted by Emily G. Thompson takes hour-long looks featuring audio from the 911 calls, trial testimonies, and interviews from some of the world's most famous cases.
"Morning Cup of Murder"
Ah yes, the best way to wake up: a tale of murder. This under-10-minute podcast has a new episode every day (yes!), and tells stories of murder, abduction, cult, etc. that happened on that day in true crime history. It's uber interesting and never dull.
"My Favorite Murder"
Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark are the two hilarious women behind this hit podcast with a major cult following (fans call themselves "Murderinos"). In each episode, they select a different real-life murder or case of oddity (they have a particular fascination with people finding eerie things in walls) and chat about the circumstances, ranging from the mega-famous cases to the ones you’ve never heard about. Though they're sensitive and focused on uplifting survivors, they intertwine humor into their storytelling—so if you aren’t okay with irreverence around serious topics, you might want to skip this one.
"Nobody Should Believe Me"
Novelist Andrea Dunlop was inspired to learn everything she could about Munchausen syndrome by proxy—a form of abuse in which a person in a caretaker position fabricates or induces illness in someone in their care—after her sister was investigated for the condition. She explores a different case of Munchausen by proxy in each season of this show, talking to friends and family members, doctors, experts, law enforcement officials, and more to unravel the psychology behind the condition and its horrific real-life impacts.
"Obscura: A True Crime Podcast"
Listeners who enjoy the nitty, gritty details of true crime will devour "Obscura: A True Crime Podcast." While the details talked about in the episodes can render an appetite nonexistent, host Justin Drown knows how to tell a story with the utmost compassion.
"The Officer's Wife"
Told over seven episodes, "The Officer's Wife" looks at the death of Jessica Boynton, who was found inside a locked closet with a gunshot wound to her head. Underneath her body, police discovered the service weapon belonging to her husband police officer Matthew Boynton. This murder changed one small town forever.
"The Orange Tree"
Two University of Texas students cover the 2005 murder of Jennifer Cave in this limited series podcast. The 21-year-old went out one night and disappeared—and then her body was found at The Orange Tree, a condo complex near the university. This story takes such a shocking turn you'll find yourself binging all the episodes in one day.
"Paper Ghosts"
50 years ago, in several small New England towns, four different young girls went missing over a series of years. All of them were last seen just miles away from the others. But that's not the eeriest part, not one arrest has been made since it happened. That is, until host and true crime author, M. William Phelps, gets a phone call that sets an investigation in motion.
"RedHanded"
It would be a travesty not to shout out "RedHanded." The podcast perfectly balances comedy, banter, and true crime storytelling from British hosts Suruthi Bala and Hannah Maguire. They tackle everything from serial killers to some incredibly creepy hauntings, so you'll never be bored again.
"Root of Evil"
The disturbing Black Dahlia case remains unsolved after more than 75 years, but sisters and "Root of Evil" podcast hosts Rasha Pecoraro and Yvette Gentile posit that their great-grandfather, Dr. George Hodel, is the one who killed Elizabeth Short. They lay out their reasoning in this eight-part series and the rest of their shocking family history.
"Serial"
"Serial" is the one that started it all. You've probably heard about its first season which chronicles the story of Adnan Syed and captured the attention of the whole world when it came out in 2014. However, the podcast, now owned by The New York Times, has several other seasons to dig into, with topics examining the limitations of the criminal justice system and ranging from Bowe Bergdahl to Guantanamo Bay.
"Sinisterhood"
Best friends and improve queens from Dallas, Christie Wallace and Heather McKinney, chat all things sinister in this funny and well-researched podcast. McKinney is a corporate lawyer, so her small blurbs of background legal information are helpful when it comes to understanding a case. Not all episodes cover murder mysteries despite the title; some of their best ones highlight the theory of the Mandela Effect to the Kennedy curse.
"Small Town Dicks"
"Small Town Dicks" is the podcast for anyone fascinated with the biggest crimes that go down in the smallest of towns. The long-running podcast introduces listeners to a captivating case from Small Town, U.S.A. in every episode, complete with interviews with the detectives who broke the case, the suspects, 911 call audio, and more. Actress Yeardley Smith hosts the show, while identical twin detectives Dan and Dave help anchor it.
"Son of a Hitman"
Did you know that legendary actor Woody Harrelson's father was a hitman? The actor's father, Charles, is the subject in this 10-episode podcast by Jason Cavanagh as he tries to separate true-crime fan fiction from the truth. There are interviews from the Harrelson family on what they think happened, why Charles claimed to have been involved in the John F. Kennedy assassination, and tons of other eye-opening details.
"The Something Scary Podcast"
If you're into true crime podcasts, you're probably cool with all levels of horrifying things. You know, like ghosts, haunted houses, cursed woods, possessed children, etc. So it's no wonder we're obsessed with this podcast that takes inspiration from creepy real-life events and turns them into goosebump-worthy fictional stories. (They even turn the tales into animated YouTube videos!)
"Supernatural with Ashley Flowers"
You might need to sleep with the lights on after listening to this. Ashley Flowers, one of the two hosts on "Crime Junkie," digs deep into the most bizarre true crime occurrences ever. Whether it's a girl who was pronounced dead after falling down the stairs only to wake up an hour later speaking an entirely different language to a ghost-ridden ranch, "Supernatural" has it all.
"Swindled"
"Swindled" takes a closer look at white-collar crimes, con artists, corporate villains, and all-around terrible events that happen to good people. Topics range from a coal mining freak accident that isn't what it seems to a woman who faked her husband's death after 9/11 to become famous. The anonymous host is "a concerned citizen" like the rest of us—one who wants you to know the truth.
"Tom Brown’s Body"
A small town in Texas gets a taste of crime when a popular 16-year-old goes missing the night before Thanksgiving. For two years, no one in the tight-knit community knew what happened to him until his remains were found suddenly. Award-winning journalist Skip Hollandsworth investigates what happened and why everyone in Canadian, Texas seems suspect.
"Undisclosed"
Hosted by Rabia Chaudry, Susan Simpson, and Colin Miller, "Undisclosed" dives into wrongful convictions and the unfair criminal justice system in the United States. Each season focuses on a different case, bringing new evidence to light that puts the investigation, trial, and verdict into sharp relief. It’s also had a real-world impact: The podcast has raised money for defense teams and even won exonerations for the wrongful convictions they’ve covered.
"Up and Vanished"
This podcast has four seasons thus far and is hosted by investigative reporter Payne Lindsey. In each episode, he examines a missing persons case. The podcast also has its own TV show on Oxygen in case just listening isn’t enough.
"Welcome to Your Fantasy"
Historian Natalia Petrzela takes us back to the coked-out '80s where a ragtag group of men take a male strip club called Chippendales into mainstream culture. The performers sell a fantasy to their all-female audiences with women's liberation in the form of a greased-up man in a bow tie. This gripping podcast exposes the dark underbelly of their business that eventually gives way to greed and murder.
"Women and Crime"
Two female criminologists focus on a new case each week involving wrongfully convicted women while giving their expert opinions on how the criminal justice system wronged them. Dr. Sacks and Dr. Shlosberg guide you through the cases with ease and make you feel like you're a part of their group.
