What’s the Best True Crime Podcast in 2025?

What is it about true-crime podcasts that pulls us in the way they do? We keep asking ourselves that. You start one out of curiosity and suddenly you’re five episodes deep, Googling names you’ve never heard before, and wondering how it’s already past midnight.

If you’ve ever sat there at 1 a.m. thinking “Okay, but which true-crime podcast is actually the best one right now?”, trust us, you’re not alone. The genre just keeps growing. Every time we open Spotify or Apple, there’s another new release climbing the charts and somehow another huge group of people completely wrapped up in it.

Sure, part of it is the mystery. But a lot of it is how these shows are built. The pacing. The detail. The quiet moments. That feeling of someone telling you a story they probably shouldn’t be telling. It feels personal. It sneaks up on you. You hit play and suddenly a whole evening disappears.

The numbers back it up too. True crime accounts for roughly 10% of all podcast listening worldwide. Around 70% of the audience is women, many saying the genre makes them feel more informed and aware. And true-crime fans are about three times more likely to binge a full season than fans of any other category. That’s not a passing trend. That’s genuine loyalty.

If you spend any time on Reddit, you’ll see long threads where people defend their favorite shows like it’s a sport. Bear Brook. Your Own Backyard. Morbid. Crime Junkie. Once someone adds a show to their weekly routine, that’s it. It becomes part of their rhythm.

So if you’re trying to figure out what’s worth listening to next, here’s our 2025 roundup of the best true-crime podcasts. And what each one gets right when it comes to building stories people can’t stop talking about.

1. Your Own Backyard

Few podcasts have had a cultural impact like Your Own Backyard. What started as one man’s obsession with the disappearance of Kristin Smart led to a reopened case and, eventually, an arrest. It’s raw, sincere, and relentless in its pursuit of truth.
Why listeners love it: Authentic storytelling, emotional pacing, and the sense that journalism can still matter.
What brands can learn: Purpose builds trust. Audiences connect when stories feel personal and driven by real stakes.

2. Bear Brook

Produced by New Hampshire Public Radio, Bear Brook unravels a decades-old cold case using DNA technology and patient reporting. It’s quiet, methodical, and unforgettable.
Why listeners love it: It feels like discovering clues alongside the reporter.
What brands can learn: Great storytelling is about pacing. Let tension build naturally.

3. Crime Junkie

This one’s a juggernaut. With billions of downloads, Crime Junkie has become the most-streamed true-crime show in the U.S. Its conversational tone, clear structure, and consistent weekly drops make it a comfort listen for many fans.
Why listeners love it: Predictability plus personality.
What brands can learn: Repetition is a branding tool. Consistency builds emotional attachment.

4. Morbid: A True Crime Podcast

Hosted by Alaina and Ash, this show balances humor with empathy. It’s part crime recap, part comedy therapy session — and that blend keeps fans fiercely loyal.
Why listeners love it: It feels like gossiping with smart friends about wild stories.
What brands can learn: Tone matters. Finding your “voice” is as critical as finding your message.

5. Bone Valley

Bone Valley takes you inside a wrongful conviction case in Florida and does it with a mix of sharp reporting and real compassion. It feels cinematic. It hits emotionally. You end up caring about every person involved.

Why listeners love it: the story unfolds like a true detective novel happening in real time. You’re piecing it together right alongside the host.

What brands can learn: empathy and detail build trust. Good storytelling makes people genuinely care.

6. Scamanda

This podcast tells the unbelievable true story of a woman who faked having cancer to scam her community — and it’s narrated like a Hollywood thriller.
Why listeners love it: It’s proof that truth really is stranger than fiction.
What brands can learn: Every brand has its version of a twist. Use surprise to re-engage your audience.

7. Dateline NBC

With decades of journalism behind it, Dateline NBC remains one of the most trusted names in crime storytelling. The podcast adaptation brings that same TV polish to your headphones.
Why listeners love it: Strong structure, reliable cadence, and voice-of-authority tone.
What brands can learn: Authority still sells. Credibility and consistency make stories timeless.

8. The Retrievals

From the producers of Serial and The New York Times, The Retrievals examines a shocking medical scandal in a Yale fertility clinic. It’s haunting, humane, and masterfully edited.
Why listeners love it: It explores moral grey zones with compassion.
What brands can learn: Vulnerability makes your storytelling more powerful.

9. CounterClock

Delia D’Ambra’s investigation into cold cases and small-town secrets is meticulously detailed and emotionally grounded.
Why listeners love it: It’s a reminder that persistence pays off.
What brands can learn: Depth wins over noise. The longer you invest in one great story, the more loyal your audience becomes.

10. Serial (Season 4)

Even years later, Serial remains the gold standard for investigative audio. Season 4 dives into systemic justice and personal accountability — proving that the format it pioneered is still unmatched.
Why listeners love it: The storytelling feels alive. You’re part of the discovery.
What brands can learn: Curiosity drives connection. Always ask the next question.