Admit it or not, most of us have a strange fascination with true crime stories that revolve around unsolved mysteries. There’s just something about them that gets your adrenaline going and based on a study, it also gives you a sense of readiness. With the aid of technology, these true crime stories are now easier to access in the form of true crime podcasts.
True crime podcasts are episodic series of crime stories that allow listeners to dig into cases and even form their own theories. By now that you've likely rummaged through the entirety of Netflix, you're probably looking for something new to get you hooked! Stay with us for some guides and recommendations of the best true crime podcasts that you can listen to.
When attempting to listen to a podcast, there are a few things that you must consider. Here are some of the points that you should keep in mind when delving into the world of true crime podcasts.
Streaming platforms are swamped with countless podcasts ranging from local to international. Hence, the medium of narration differs from one another as well. Most international true crime podcasts that stream in the country have English as their medium of narration.
However, in the case of locally-produced true crime podcasts, there are ones that use the Filipino language but there are also a fair number of them that use English as the main language in their podcast. Regardless of language, both deliver gruesome stories of crime and are guaranteed to give you chills, you just have to go for the one that you’re more comfortable with!
A good true crime podcast is one that is well-researched and backed up with authentic details that the hosts can discuss and dig into. Since these are audio only that provide you no visual cues, it may be easy to miss out on some details, especially if the format of the program is not something that engages you.
There are a number of true crime podcasts that deliver their content through enthralling storytelling which surely draw listeners in. Podcasts with this format have a host that narrates the true crime story from start to finish. It is usually joined with eerie background music that blends well with the mood of the episode.
This format is ideal for those seeking a quick listen as these usually have a shorter run time, commonly around 10-30 minutes. However, this format gives you little to no time to build some sort of connection with the hosts as they just mainly supply you with the story.
True crime podcasts that use this format usually have more than one host that delivers the story by discussing it with each other and with the listeners. Hosts would usually throw in their takes on the case as well and would casually ask listeners to be involved in the “investigation”.
This format is more suited for those who prefer interactive listening as these types of podcasts would make you feel as if you’re digging into the case together. Additionally, podcasts that use this format tend to have longer run time too.
Most true crime podcasts are episodic or follow the format of one story per episode. This structure of podcasts allows quick listening for people who have limited time on their hands as it allows you to just listen to one episode and you'll be able to consume one and done true crime story.
Although most podcasts are episodic, there are also a number of them that allot an entire season for a single true crime story. Instead of delivering a new story every episode, serial podcasts pick up where they left off from the previous episode and continue from there.
They often use the phases of the story to cut it into episodes. Say, if the previous episode discussed the arrest, then the next part would revolve around the trial. Serial podcasts tend to give listeners a sense of intrigue to stay tuned to future episodes.
True crime podcasts deal with sensitive content like gruesome stories of murder, kidnapping, massacres, and unsolved mysteries, hence, the content may contain vulgar language, stories of violence, and gore descriptions of events. Content such as these may cause some listeners discomfort, so it is important to proceed with caution.
From local to international stories of crime, we have collated our Top 10 picks of true crime podcasts that'll surely unleash your inner Sherlock!
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Language | English |
---|---|
Format | Narrative Storytelling |
Length | 36-53 minutes per episode |
Structure/Type | Serial |
From ₱0
Language | English |
---|---|
Format | Narrative Storytelling |
Length | 14-41minutes per episode |
Structure/Type | Episodic |
From ₱0
Language | English |
---|---|
Format | Narrative Storytelling |
Length | 15 minutes to 1 hour per episode |
Structure/Type | Serial |
From ₱0
Language | English |
---|---|
Format | Commentary Style with 2 Hosts |
Length | 30 minutes - 1 hour per episode |
Structure/Type | Episodic |
From ₱0
Language | English |
---|---|
Format | Narrative Storytelling |
Length | 10-30 minutes per episode |
Structure/Type | Serial |
From ₱0
Language | English |
---|---|
Format | Narrative Storytelling |
Length | 30 minutes - 1 hour per episode |
Structure/Type | Episodic |
From ₱0
Language | English |
---|---|
Format | Conversational Style |
Length | 34-52 minutes per episode |
Structure/Type | Episodic |
From ₱0
Language | English |
---|---|
Format | Commentary Style |
Length | Approximately 1 hour |
Structure/Type | Serial/Episodic |
From ₱0
Language | English |
---|---|
Format | Narrative Storytelling |
Length | Approximately 20-30 minutes per episode |
Structure/Type | Episodic |
From ₱0
Language | Filipino/Tagalog |
---|---|
Format | Commentary Style |
Length | Approximately 40 minutes |
Structure/Type | Episodic |
Image | 1 ![]() Inquirer Podcasts | 2 ![]() | 3 ![]() This American Life | 4 ![]() audiochuck | 5 ![]() | 6 ![]() Parcast Network | 7 ![]() Lagim Network | 8 ![]() | 9 ![]() HLN | 10 ![]() Light M |
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Name | Super Evil: Hatched in Hell | Stories After Dark | Serial | Crime Junkie | PH Murder Stories | Serial Killers | Lagim | Morbid: A True Crime Podcast | Forensic Files Podcast | Ang Krimen |
Features | For Those Who Are Fascinated With Crime and Forensics | Local True Crime Tales That Will Send Chills Down Your Spine | Season-Long Exploration of a Single True Crime Story | Feels Like Late Night True Crime Talks With Friends | Mostly Delves Into Unsung Crime Stories in the Country | Delve Deep Into the Minds of Notorious Serial Killers | For Your Local True Crime Fix | Collection of Morbid and Spine-Tingling True Stories | Brutal, Violent, and Nerve-Wracking Real Crime Stories | Retells Mysterious Cases in the Native Language |
Price Starts at | ₱0 | ₱0 | ₱0 | ₱0 | ₱0 | ₱0 | ₱0 | ₱0 | ₱0 | ₱0 |
Language | English | English | English | English | English | English | English | English | English | Filipino/Tagalog |
Format | Narrative Storytelling | Narrative Storytelling | Narrative Storytelling | Commentary Style with 2 Hosts | Narrative Storytelling | Narrative Storytelling | Conversational Style | Commentary Style | Narrative Storytelling | Commentary Style |
Length | 36-53 minutes per episode | 14-41minutes per episode | 15 minutes to 1 hour per episode | 30 minutes - 1 hour per episode | 10-30 minutes per episode | 30 minutes - 1 hour per episode | 34-52 minutes per episode | Approximately 1 hour | Approximately 20-30 minutes per episode | Approximately 40 minutes |
Structure/Type | Serial | Episodic | Serial | Episodic | Serial | Episodic | Episodic | Serial/Episodic | Episodic | Episodic |
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Is podcasting something that you have always put on the back burner because it seems too complex to do? Worry not! With just your smartphone, you can start recording your own podcast too! Check out this tutorial by Pod Sound School® on Youtube and start discussing things that you've always wanted to share with the world!
How to Start a Podcast:
After satisfying your knack for digging into unsolved mysteries, let your ears relax and switch to things that can engage your other senses along with your mind. Check out these articles reviewing things that can make your quarantine worthwhile.
Although morbid for some, listening to true crime podcasts can be a great way to kill time especially if you need a reminder about the darker side of human nature. For some, it can also be a way for them to feel more 'prepared' as it allows them to learn from others' stories from a safe distance. If you enjoy digging into unsolved mysteries, it can be a good form of brain exercise as well.
Author: R. Victoriano
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