True Crime & Mystery Podcasts

15 podcasts in this category

Browse the best true crime and mystery podcasts covering serial killers, cold cases, unsolved mysteries, investigative journalism, and courtroom dramas. From deep-dive series to weekly case breakdowns, these podcasts bring real-life crime stories to your ears.

Podcasts
15
Subtopics
6
Updated
Feb 2026

Looking for the best?

Best True Crime & Mystery podcasts

See our hand-picked top recommendations with detailed reviews

ArtCurious

ArtCurious

Exploring the unexpected, the slightly odd, and the strangely wonderful in Art History. A focus on the storytelling and scandalous side of art history rather than dry dates.

Monthly Free
History & Culture True Crime & Mystery
Crime Junkie

Crime Junkie

Crime Junkie delivers a new case every Monday with impeccable research and storytelling. Ashley Flowers has built the most popular true crime podcast by treating every case with respect while maintaining a conversational tone that makes complex cases accessible.

Weekly Free
True Crime & Mystery
Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC brings its legendary TV journalism to podcast form with deep-dive series on major criminal cases. With decades of reporting experience and exclusive access to key figures, Dateline's podcast extensions offer even more detail than the TV episodes.

Weekly Free
True Crime & Mystery
Dr. Death

Dr. Death

The horrifying true story of a neurosurgeon who maimed and killed patients while the medical system failed to stop him. A riveting examination of institutional failure.

Limited Series Free
True Crime & Mystery Health & Wellness
Drilled

Drilled

A true crime podcast about climate change. Investigative journalist Amy Westervelt follows the money and the manipulation.

Seasonal Free
True Crime & Mystery
Imagined Life

Imagined Life

Walk in the shoes of an unknown person and see if you can figure out who they are before the big reveal. A biography guessing game that keeps you hooked until the final reveal.

Weekly Free
History & Culture True Crime & Mystery
Limon

Limon

Ten years ago, over three hundred men, women and children disappeared from a small town in Tennessee, never to be heard from again.

Complete Free
True Crime & Mystery
Louder Than A Riot

Louder Than A Riot

Rhyme and punishment in America. NPR Music traces the collision of hip-hop and mass incarceration. Unprecedented investigation into how hip-hop and mass incarceration are inextricably linked.

Seasonal Free
True Crime & Mystery
Stuff You Should Know

Stuff You Should Know

If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further.

Multiple-weekly Free
History & Culture True Crime & Mystery
Sword and Scale

Sword and Scale

Sword and Scale doesn't shy away from the darkest corners of true crime. Using actual court recordings, 911 calls, and police interrogations, the show creates an immersive experience that puts you right in the middle of the investigation.

Bi-weekly Freemium
True Crime & Mystery
The Dream

The Dream

An investigative look at the multilevel marketing (MLM) industry and how it has infiltrated American life. Investigative journalism that exposes the dark underbelly of the MLM industry.

Seasonal Free
Business True Crime & Mystery
True Crime Garage

True Crime Garage

Two friends discuss true crime cases over craft beers in their garage. True Crime Garage combines thorough case research with a relaxed, conversational format. Each case gets a carefully selected beer pairing, and the hosts' genuine passion for justice shines through.

Twice Weekly Free
True Crime & Mystery
Unbelievable?

Unbelievable?

The show that gets Christians and skeptics talking. Justin Brierley hosts dialogues between believers and non-believers.

Weekly Free
True Crime & Mystery
Up and Vanished

Up and Vanished

Payne Lindsey's investigation into cold cases that helped generate new tips and leads. Season 1 demonstrated that independent podcast journalism could have real investigative impact.

Seasonal Free
True Crime & Mystery
You Must Remember This

You Must Remember This

The podcast dedicated to exploring the secret and/or forgotten histories of Hollywoodโ€™s first century. Unparalleled historical research and atmospheric narrative storytelling about old Hollywood.

Seasonal Free
History & Culture True Crime & Mystery

About True Crime & Mystery Podcasts

About True Crime Podcasts

True crime podcasts have become one of the most popular podcast genres, captivating millions of listeners with real-world mysteries, unsolved cases, and the intricacies of the criminal justice system. From long-form investigative series to weekly case studies, these shows combine journalism, storytelling, and human psychology.

Why Listen to True Crime Podcasts?

True crime podcasts satisfy our innate curiosity about human behavior โ€” both the darkest and the most heroic. The best shows go beyond sensationalism to explore how crimes are investigated, how the justice system works (and fails), and how communities are affected by violence. Theyโ€™ve also proven themselves as a force for good, with several podcasts directly contributing to real-world case resolutions.

What Youโ€™ll Find

  • Investigative Series: Multi-episode deep dives into a single case, uncovering new evidence and challenging official narratives.
  • Case Studies: Weekly episodes exploring a different case, from historical mysteries to recent headlines.
  • Forensic Science: How DNA, ballistics, digital forensics, and other scientific techniques help solve crimes.
  • Wrongful Convictions: Stories of people who were imprisoned for crimes they didnโ€™t commit, and the fight for their freedom.
  • Criminal Psychology: Understanding the minds of criminals, from serial offenders to white-collar fraudsters.

Who Should Listen?

  • Mystery Lovers who enjoy solving puzzles and analyzing evidence
  • Journalism Students interested in investigative reporting techniques
  • Legal Professionals exploring the intersections of law and justice
  • Social Justice Advocates concerned with criminal justice reform
  • Podcast Newcomers โ€” true crime is one of the most engaging entry points into podcasting

Related Podcasts

Frequently Asked Questions about Podcasts

Q. What are the best true crime podcasts for beginners?

Serial, Crime Junkie, and My Favorite Murder are great starting points. They're well-produced, easy to follow, and cover a range of cases.

Q. Are there true crime podcasts that focus on unsolved cases?

Yes! Podcasts like Unsolved Mysteries, The Trail Went Cold, and Casefile often cover unsolved cases in depth.

Q. How often do true crime podcasts release new episodes?

Most true crime podcasts release weekly episodes. Some serialized shows release daily during a season, then take breaks between seasons.

Q. Are true crime podcasts appropriate for all ages?

Most true crime podcasts contain mature content including descriptions of violence. Check individual show ratings and content warnings before listening.

Q. What are the best true crime podcasts?

Serial, Crime Junkie, Casefile, and Criminal are among the most acclaimed true crime podcasts. They offer different styles from investigative journalism to meticulously researched case studies.

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