The 10 Best Places to Follow True Crime in English
True crime enthusiasts seeking comprehensive coverage, expert analysis, and engaging storytelling can now access dozens of dedicated platforms across podcasts, streaming services, and digital communities that specialize in criminal cases, investigative journalism, and forensic deep-dives.
The Essential True Crime Destinations
1. Crime Junkie Podcast
Hosted by Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat, Crime Junkie delivers meticulously researched episodes every Monday, covering both historical and contemporary criminal cases. With over 500 million downloads since launching in 2017, the podcast has become the gold standard for true crime storytelling. Each episode runs 30-60 minutes and features detailed victim advocacy information. The show's consistent format and ethical approach to storytelling have earned it a dedicated fanbase of over 18 million monthly listeners across major podcast platforms.
2. Netflix True Crime Section
Netflix has produced and acquired over 150 true crime documentaries and series since 2015, including groundbreaking titles like "Making a Murderer" and "The Keepers." The streaming giant releases new true crime content monthly, featuring everything from cold cases to wrongful convictions. Subscribers gain access to international cases, multi-part documentary series, and exclusive investigative footage. Netflix's investment in true crime content exceeds $200 million annually, making it the largest single source of long-form true crime visual content available globally.
3. Reddit's r/TrueCrime Community
This subreddit boasts 2.1 million members who actively discuss ongoing investigations, cold cases, and breaking crime news. The community enforces strict moderation rules to ensure respectful discourse and prohibits glorification of perpetrators. Users share case updates, legal analysis, and obscure cases that receive minimal mainstream coverage. The platform's threaded discussion format allows for deep-dive conversations and crowd-sourced investigative efforts that have occasionally contributed to real case developments.
4. Dateline NBC
Airing continuously since 1992, Dateline NBC represents the longest-running true crime television program in American broadcasting history. The show produces over 200 episodes annually across multiple weekly time slots, featuring Keith Morrison, Andrea Canning, and other veteran journalists. Each episode combines investigative reporting with emotional interviews and courtroom footage. Dateline's archive contains over 3,000 cases, and full episodes are available through NBC's streaming platform Peacock and YouTube channel.
5. My Favorite Murder Podcast
Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark have revolutionized true crime podcasting since 2016 by combining comedy with crime storytelling, amassing over 35 million monthly downloads. The podcast's unique format includes listener-submitted hometown murder stories and mental health discussions. Their Exactly Right podcast network has expanded to include 20 additional true crime shows. The duo has authored a New York Times bestseller and built a passionate fan community called Murderinos that hosts meet-ups worldwide.
6. ID (Investigation Discovery) Channel
Investigation Discovery broadcasts true crime content 24/7 across 85 million American households and streams internationally through Discovery+. The network produces over 500 hours of original true crime programming annually, including series like "Forensic Files II" and "Evil Lives Here." ID specializes in lesser-known cases and gives victims' families prominent storytelling roles. The channel's YouTube presence features thousands of case clips and full episodes, accumulating over 4 billion total views.
7. Casefile True Crime Podcast
This Australian-produced podcast distinguishes itself through anonymous hosting and heavily researched, narrative-driven episodes covering international cases. Since launching in 2016, Casefile has produced over 250 episodes, each running 45-90 minutes with comprehensive case details. The show's serious tone and focus on victims rather than perpetrators appeals to listeners seeking journalism-quality content. Episodes cover cases from dozens of countries, with particular strength in covering Australian, European, and Asian criminal investigations rarely featured in American media.
8. YouTube True Crime Community
Channels like Bailey Sarian, Kendall Rae, and Eleanor Neale collectively reach over 15 million subscribers, offering free, regularly updated true crime content. These creators produce 2-3 videos weekly, covering everything from cold cases to conspiracy theories. The platform's visual format allows for case evidence presentation, maps, and timelines that enhance storytelling. Many creators partner with victim advocacy organizations and raise funds for DNA testing through Othram and similar forensic genealogy services.
9. The Murder Squad Podcast
Retired cold case investigator Paul Holes and investigative journalist Billy Jensen host this action-oriented podcast that actively works to solve cold cases. Launched in 2019, the show features direct appeals to listeners for case information and has contributed to multiple case breaks. Episodes combine case analysis with practical investigative techniques and updates on DNA technology. The hosts' professional backgrounds provide insider perspectives on forensic evidence and detective work unavailable in entertainment-focused true crime content.
10. Wondery Podcast Network
Wondery has established itself as the premier true crime podcast network with over 30 shows including "Dr. Death," "Over My Dead Body," and "Blood Ties." The network produces limited-series podcasts with Hollywood-quality sound design and exclusive access to case principals. Since 2016, Wondery's shows have achieved over 2 billion downloads, and Amazon acquired the company for $300 million in 2021. Subscribers to Wondery+ receive ad-free listening and early episode access, while free versions reach audiences across all major podcast platforms.
