Best American True Crime Podcasts (2026)
American true crime podcasts form the backbone of the global genre. From the NPR-produced Serial that launched a podcast revolution to the grassroots investigations that have reopened cold cases, the US produces more true crime content than any other country — and some of the finest.
American crime podcasts reflect the country's complex relationship with justice — a system capable of both extraordinary dedication and extraordinary failure. The best American shows use individual cases to explore larger systemic questions about race, policing, and the gap between law and justice.
529 podcasts from United States
Top United States True Crime Podcasts
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True Crime Twins
Twin sisters tell crime stories drawing on their academic backgrounds.
Re-Solved Mysteries: An Unsolved Mysteries Podcast
Updates every segment from the 1990s Unsolved Mysteries TV show.
California True Crime
Stories of crimes from around California.
Fur and Loathing
Brazen series on a 2014 chemical attack at a furry convention.
All Crime No Cattle
A chatty show covering cases from Texas.
Agent of Betrayal: The Double Life of Robert Hanssen
CBS News series on FBI agent Robert Hanssen, who spied for Moscow for years.
Invisible Choir
Covers murders using primary-source audio and the victims' stories.
Disgraceland
Music and true crime: the crimes and scandals around famous musicians, told as stories.
Affirmative Murder
Two comedians swap murder stories from marginalised communities each week.
Already Gone Podcast
Lesser-known cases from Michigan and the Great Lakes.
MURDERISH
Jami Rice tells real cases in full, from start to finish, with detailed research.
True Crime Recaps
Two storytellers go through widely discussed true crime cases.
Son of a Hitman
Investigates hitman Charles Harrelson and the crimes linked to him.
Gone South
Narrative series about crime in the American South, now widening to other regions.
They Will Kill
Sisters cover lesser-known and strange true crime cases.
Michigan Monsters
Forgotten crimes and dark history from Michigan, told with some humour.
Murder In The Rain
Two hosts cover cases from the Pacific Northwest.
Chalk Murder To Me
Local reporters examine crimes in Mansfield, Ohio.
A Date With Dateline
Two friends recap episodes of NBC's Dateline with plenty of jokes alongside the case details.
3 Spooked Girls
Weekly deep dives into true crime cases, with documentary recaps and urban legends.
Hands Off My Podcast: True Crime
Covers missing and murdered people from BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities.
Allegedly: A True Crime Podcast
True crime mixed with comedy.
True Crime DEADLINE
Journalist Matt Johnson covers cold cases, unsolved mysteries and murders.
Murder in Miami
Journalist Phil Stanford's story of 1980s Miami and a murder he got caught up in.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best American true crime podcasts?
Serial, Crime Junkie, Sword and Scale, My Favorite Murder, Your Own Backyard, and In the Dark are among the most acclaimed American true crime podcasts. NPR and Wondery have both produced acclaimed crime podcasts from their respective journalistic and commercial traditions.
Why does America produce so many true crime podcasts?
The US has a strong tradition of investigative journalism, open public records laws (FOIA), and a culture fascinated by crime and justice. The country also has a disproportionately high crime rate and a complex, highly visible criminal justice system that generates constant material for storytellers.
Which American true crime podcast has been most influential?
Serial (WBEZ/This American Life) is the most influential American true crime podcast — it essentially created the modern podcast audience. In the Dark (APM Reports) is considered the most journalistically impactful, contributing to the overturning of a murder conviction.
Are American true crime podcasts available in the UK and Australia?
Yes — virtually all American true crime podcasts are available globally on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other platforms. Some NPR-produced content may have restrictions for certain premium features, but the shows themselves are freely available.
Do American podcasts cover international cases?
Many do. Shows like Crime Junkie, Casefile, and Sword and Scale regularly cover international cases including UK, Australian, and European crimes. Some American podcasts specialise in specific regions or case types rather than being geographically restricted.