Serial
Anyone interested in journalism, legal procedure, and deep investigative dives into morally ambiguous cases with no easy answers.
Podcasts Like Serial
If you loved Serial, here are the best podcasts to try next. Matched by case type, storytelling style, and community ratings from our database of Murder, Courtroom, Cold Case shows.
Why listeners love Serial
The podcast that launched a thousand true crime shows — Serial's Season 1 remains the gold standard for investigative audio journalism, genuinely suspenseful right to the final episode. With a binge factor of 10/10, it sits among the most compulsively listenable shows in the genre. It follows a serialized format — each season covers one case in depth, building suspense across episodes.
Binge Factor
10/10
Community-rated compulsive listenability
Format
Serialized
One story told across multiple episodes
Style
Serious, journalistic, thoughtful
Presentation approach
Episode Length
4 seasons; Season 1 = 12 episodes ~45 min each; easily bingeable in a weekend
Typical episode duration
Host Style
Solo narrator
Presentation format
Verdict
Must listen
Our editorial rating
Recommendations
12 podcasts like Serial
Bear Brook
True crime fans fascinated by forensic science, DNA technology, and cold cases with a genuine scientific payoff.
In the Dark
Listeners who want journalism-grade investigation into wrongful convictions, systemic racism, and institutional failures — more 60 Minutes than true crime thriller.
Your Own Backyard
Listeners who want investigative true crime with real-world consequence and single-minded, passionate focus from a creator who refused to let a case die.
In the Dark
Listeners who want journalism-grade investigation into wrongful convictions, systemic racism, and institutional failures — more 60 Minutes than true crime thriller.
Bear Brook
True crime fans fascinated by forensic science, DNA technology, and cold cases with a genuine scientific payoff.
Your Own Backyard
Listeners who want investigative true crime with real-world consequence and single-minded, passionate focus from a creator who refused to let a case die.
The Teacher's Pet
True crime fans who like journalism-driven investigations with massive real-world impact; anyone fascinated by domestic crime and institutional failure.
West Cork
True crime fans who love atmospheric investigative journalism, Anglo-Irish tensions, and cases that remain unresolved and fiercely contested decades later.
Missing and Murdered: Finding Cleo
CBC's Connie Walker investigates the Sixties Scoop through the disappearance of Cleo Semaganis Nicotine.
The Trial of Erin Patterson
The Crime Desk's courtroom coverage of the Erin Patterson 'mushroom murders' trial — one of the biggest cases of the decade.
Believed
Listeners who want to understand systemic institutional failure, survivor stories, and how Nassar's abuse was enabled so long; essential for anyone working in safeguarding or sports.
Bone Valley
True crime fans who care deeply about wrongful conviction, prosecutorial failure, and the fight to free innocent people; fans of In the Dark will find this essential.
How they compare
| Podcast | Format | Country | Binge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serial (original) | Serialized | United States | 10/10 |
| Bear Brook | Serialized | United States | 9/10 |
| In the Dark | Serialized | United States | 10/10 |
| Your Own Backyard | Serialized | United States | 9/10 |
| In the Dark | Serialized | United States | 10/10 |
| Bear Brook | Serialized | United States | 9/10 |
| Your Own Backyard | Serialized | United States | 9/10 |
| The Teacher's Pet | Serialized | Australia | 9/10 |
| West Cork | Serialized | Ireland | 9/10 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What podcasts are similar to Serial?
The best alternatives to Serial are podcasts that share its Murder, Courtroom, Cold Case focus and serialized format. Our editorial team has hand-picked the most similar shows based on content type, storytelling style, and community ratings.
Why do people love Serial?
Serial is known for its serious, journalistic, thoughtful approach to Murder and Courtroom. It scores 10/10 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 Serial?
Episodes of Serial are typically 4 seasons; Season 1 = 12 episodes ~45 min each; easily bingeable in a weekend long. It follows a serialized format, covering one story across multiple episodes.
Where can I listen to Serial?
Serial 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 Serial to start with?
New listeners are recommended to start with S1 Ep1 — The Alibi. As a serialized podcast, it's best to start from the beginning of a season.