Criminal
Listeners who appreciate literary storytelling and want true crime that feels more like Radio 4 documentary than sensational thriller; people who hate the mainstream true crime format.
Podcasts Like Criminal
If you loved Criminal, here are the best podcasts to try next. Matched by case type, storytelling style, and community ratings from our database of Fraud, Wrongful Conviction, Historical Crime shows.
Why listeners love Criminal
Entertainment Weekly named Criminal the #1 true crime podcast of all time — Phoebe Judge's extraordinary voice and storytelling are unlike anything else in the genre. Listeners rate its binge factor at 7/10.
Binge Factor
7/10
Community-rated compulsive listenability
Format
Episodic
New case with every episode
Style
Quiet, measured, literary
Presentation approach
Episode Length
13-45 min per episode (varies); released twice monthly; very large backlog
Typical episode duration
Host Style
Solo narrator
Presentation format
Verdict
Must listen
Our editorial rating
Recommendations
12 podcasts like Criminal
In the Dark
Listeners who want journalism-grade investigation into wrongful convictions, systemic racism, and institutional failures — more 60 Minutes than true crime thriller.
Swindled
True crime fans bored of murder who want to be outraged by institutional and corporate evil; anyone who appreciates deadpan humor and business crime.
Once Upon a Crime
True crime fans who appreciate beautifully told stories over rapid-fire case summaries; listeners who want to encounter cases they haven't already heard about.
You're Wrong About
True crime fans who want rehabilitation of misrepresented stories; listeners interested in media criticism and the gap between how crimes were reported and what the evidence actually showed.
Wisecrack
True crime fans looking for something genuinely new and formally innovative; fans of dark comedy who want real substance behind the laughs.
The Last Days of August
True crime fans interested in online harassment, media ethics, and the intersection of sex work with public shaming; those who enjoyed Jon Ronson's book So You've Been Publicly Shamed.
Crime Next Door: The Beast of Birkenhead
BBC’s Olivia Graham revisits the 1986 Diane Sindall murder and the 2025 quashing of Peter Sullivan’s conviction. Sullivan quashed 13 May 2025; killer unknown.
The Retrievals
True crime fans interested in medical crime, systemic bias, and the treatment of women in healthcare; essential for anyone who has ever been dismissed by a doctor.
Unsolved Murders: True Crime Stories
Character-driven narrative drama covering historical unsolved murders in accessible storytelling.
Lore
Award-winning dark history podcast exploring terrifying historical truths that inspired folklore and legend.
Serial Killers
Parcast's weekly deep dive into the psychology and criminal histories of notorious serial killers.
Cults
Deep exploration of cult psychology and the dark histories of major cult groups from Jim Jones to modern movements.
How they compare
| Podcast | Format | Country | Binge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal (original) | Episodic | United States | 7/10 |
| In the Dark | Serialized | United States | 10/10 |
| Swindled | Episodic | United States | 6/10 |
| Once Upon a Crime | Episodic | United States | 6/10 |
| You're Wrong About | Episodic | United States | 7/10 |
| Wisecrack | Serialized | United Kingdom | 7/10 |
| The Last Days of August | Serialized | United States | 7/10 |
| Crime Next Door: The Beast of Birkenhead | Serialized | United Kingdom | — |
| The Retrievals | Serialized | United States | 9/10 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What podcasts are similar to Criminal?
The best alternatives to Criminal are podcasts that share its Fraud, Wrongful Conviction, Historical Crime focus and episodic format. Our editorial team has hand-picked the most similar shows based on content type, storytelling style, and community ratings.
Why do people love Criminal?
Criminal is known for its quiet, measured, literary approach to Fraud and Wrongful Conviction. It scores 7/10 on our binge factor rating, reflecting how compulsively listenable listeners find it. It has earned a "Must Listen" rating from our editorial team.
How long are episodes of Criminal?
Episodes of Criminal are typically 13-45 min per episode (varies); released twice monthly; very large backlog long. It follows an episodic format, with each episode covering a different case.
Where can I listen to Criminal?
Criminal is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR. You can find it by searching the show name on any of those platforms.
What is the best episode of Criminal to start with?
New listeners are recommended to start with Peeping Tom or The Portrait — any will work as a standalone entry. Episodes can generally be listened to in any order.