If you’ve ever wondered why there is a genre for the best true crime podcasts, then perhaps this answer might help: true crime draws on the most powerful emotion that humans have – fear. 

That’s not to say people who like true crime stories are fearful, more so they enjoy the feeling of being scared and frightened by the capabilities of humans. Similar to watching a horror movie, listening to a true crime podcast can be a scary yet exhilarating experience. 

People’s fascination with the true crime podcast genre has only intensified over the past decade. Some center on famous crimes or serial killers, while others dive deep into unsolved murders and recent stories that have been in the news. 

As there are so many different true crime podcasts out there, we thought we’d compile a list of our favorites. If you are a true crime junkie, you will find something here to entertain. Most of these are available on your favorite podcast network, including Apple podcast, Spotify, Wonderly, and more.

We have prepared 17 of the best true crime podcasts for you to listen to involving murders, kidnappings, and strange criminal activity. Find the one that interests you the most, click on the links provided, and start binging!

1. My Favorite Murder

We’re starting strong with My Favorite Murder. This podcast is the perfect combination of true crime and comedy. You can tell its listeners are hooked on this podcast, as exemplified by the enthusiastic community of fans called “Murderinos.”

Hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, this podcast successfully broke download records and sold-out worldwide live tours. Both hosts are devoted fanatics of real-life crime and love nothing more than chatting about a famous serial killer’s small town crime spree. This characteristic is why this podcast is so loved. The genuine interest, outstanding scriptwriting, and humor will make you look forward to each episode. And with over 300 available, you will always be able to find something that strikes a chord.