If you love unraveling frightening stories, solving cold cases from your couch, or getting lost in tales that leave you guessing until the final seconds, welcome to your next obsession. Mystery podcasts are one of the most addictive genres out there, and it’s easy to see why. Whether they’re diving into real-life unsolved crimes or spinning fictional tales packed with twists and suspense, the best mystery podcasts know exactly how to keep us on edge (and maybe sleeping with the lights on).
The beauty of mystery podcasts is that they come in all forms. Some are investigative deep dives into true crime cases that unfold in real time. Others are spooky, scripted dramas that feel like binge-worthy TV for your ears. And then there are the slow-burn psychological thrillers, the small-town secrets, the ghost stories with a twist, you name it.
To help you find your next audio obsession, we’ve rounded up 20 of the very best mystery podcasts out there. Each one brings something unique to the table, whether it’s a charismatic host, brilliant storytelling, or the kind of plot that’ll have you furiously Googling theories at 2 a.m.
Ready to press play and start sleuthing? Let’s dive into the mystery.
Here Are the Best Mystery Podcasts Right Now
1. Criminal
A staple in the mystery podcast world, Criminal shares strange, insightful stories of people who’ve done wrong or been wronged. Hosted by the calm and captivating Phoebe Judge, the show stands out for its human-centered storytelling and unexpected twists. Don’t miss “695-BGK,” which explores a mysterious vanity plate, or “The Less People Know About Us,” a jaw-dropping case of identity theft. Smartly written and beautifully produced, Criminal is perfect for those who like their mysteries reflective, thoughtful, and deeply human.
If you're into gripping, real-world stories like this, don’t miss our roundup of the 29 best true crime podcasts.
2. Up and Vanished
Up and Vanished is a real-time investigative podcast that digs into cold cases with cinematic suspense. Season 1 focuses on Tara Grinstead, a Georgia beauty queen who disappeared in 2005. Host Payne Lindsey uncovers new leads, shifting the case's trajectory. Must-listen episodes include “The Black Truck” and “The Case Breaks,” where major revelations unfold. With a true detective feel and real-world impact, this show makes you feel like you’re part of the investigation from start to finish.
3. The Magnus Archives
For fans of spooky fiction and slow-burn tension, The Magnus Archives is pure gold. Presented as case files from the Magnus Institute, the stories explore the paranormal, strange, and horrifying. While it starts as an anthology, episodes like “Angler Fish” and “A Father’s Love” slowly connect into a larger, haunting mythos. Themes range from psychological horror to existential dread. With sharp writing and immersive voice acting, this podcast turns creepy tales into an epic, addictive narrative web.
4. Morbid
Morbid mixes true crime with personality and humor, hosted by cousins Ash and Alaina, a hairstylist and an autopsy technician. Their storytelling is heartfelt and spooky, with a perfect dash of sass. Key episodes include “The Villisca Axe Murders,” an unsolved massacre from 1912, and “The Mysterious Death of Kendrick Johnson,” a case that still stirs public debate. The duo’s chemistry makes even the darkest cases feel strangely cozy, like late-night ghost stories with your funniest, crime-obsessed friends.
5. Serial
The podcast that changed the game, Serial, is a deep investigative series that digs into one story over a full season. Season 1, about the 1999 murder of Hae Min Lee and the conviction of Adnan Syed, is iconic. Episodes like “The Alibi” and “Inconsistencies” are packed with tension, doubt, and compelling detail. Hosted by Sarah Koenig, the show’s narrative style and pacing are unmatched. Each season explores a new mystery, making it essential listening for true crime and storytelling fans alike.
6. Casefile
This Australian true crime podcast is famous for its no-nonsense delivery and obsessive attention to detail. The anonymous narrator’s steady, emotionless tone adds an eerie layer to already chilling cases. Casefile dives deep into solved and unsolved crimes from around the world. Start with gripping episodes like “The East Area Rapist” (Parts 1–5) or “The Disappearance of Amy Lynn Bradley.” It’s perfect for listeners who love thorough research, meticulous timelines, and criminal psychology without sensationalism or fluff.
7. Someone Knows Something
Hosted by CBC journalist David Ridgen, Someone Knows Something explores cold cases with a deeply empathetic lens. Each season focuses on one mystery; Season 1 covers the 1972 disappearance of 5-year-old Adrien McNaughton. Key episodes like “Cold Case” and “Hope” show how Ridgen connects with families and uncovers long-forgotten details. The podcast moves at a slower, more reflective pace, but the emotional depth and careful storytelling make it incredibly moving and meaningful for true crime lovers who crave heart alongside mystery.
Love following real-life investigations? After bingeing these podcasts, check out The Absolute Best Documentaries on YouTube in 2025, full of jaw-dropping cases and deep investigative dives.
8. Welcome to Night Vale
A surreal fiction podcast set in the bizarre desert town of Night Vale, this one’s part mystery, part absurdist comedy. It’s styled like community radio, but with stories of glow clouds, angels named Erika, and mysterious hooded figures. Start with the Pilot or dive into “The Whispering Forest” for a perfect taste of the town’s weird charm. With stellar writing, eerie ambiance, and a strangely comforting host, Welcome to Night Vale creates a world so odd, you’ll never want to leave.
If surreal, creepy stories are your vibe, don’t miss the 25 best horror podcasts to keep the eerie mood going.
9. Missing & Murdered
CBC’s Missing & Murdered, hosted by Indigenous journalist Connie Walker, investigates cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada. The “Finding Cleo” season is particularly powerful, as it follows the heartbreaking search for a Cree girl taken by child services in the 1970s. Episodes like “What Are We Looking For?” and “The Secret” reveal layers of trauma and resilience. With its deep research, cultural insight, and respect for victims and families, this podcast is vital, emotional, and deeply compelling.
10. The Black Tapes
Blending horror, journalism, and mystery, The Black Tapes follows investigative reporter Alex Reagan as she digs into a series of chilling, unsolved paranormal cases linked to the stoic Dr. Richard Strand. Think Serial meets The X-Files. Key episodes like “The Devil’s Door” and “A Tale of Two Tapes” draw you into a rabbit hole of cults, ghosts, and dark secrets. With its addictive serialized storytelling and eerie audio design, this podcast is perfect for fans of suspenseful, supernatural mysteries.
11. The Vanished
The Vanished shines a light on missing persons cases that often slip under the radar. Host Marissa Jones brings empathy and diligence to each story, speaking with families, law enforcement, and experts to dig into the details. Episodes like “Brandon Lawson” and “Phoenix Coldon” are especially haunting, leaving you with more questions than answers. The show is a sobering reminder of how many people are still missing, and how each episode might be the key to someone finally being found.
12. Dr. Death
From Wondery, Dr. Death is the jaw-dropping true story of Dr. Christopher Duntsch, a Dallas neurosurgeon whose horrifying surgeries left dozens of patients maimed or dead. Season 1’s episodes, like “Three Days in Dallas” and “A Butterfly on the Right Shoulder,” are both enraging and addictive. Later seasons explore other shocking medical professionals gone rogue. With excellent production, legal drama, and emotional interviews, this podcast digs deep into medical malpractice and the frightening cracks in the healthcare system.
13. Alice Isn’t Dead
From the brilliant minds behind Welcome to Night Vale, Alice Isn’t Dead follows a lonely truck driver on a cross-country search for her missing wife. What she finds are eerie roadside towns, time anomalies, and creatures who shouldn’t exist. Episodes like “Thistle” and “Prey” are hauntingly beautiful, mixing psychological horror with poetic reflection. It’s a mystery layered with love, loss, and suspense, told through heartfelt monologues and chilling revelations. A must-listen for fans of queer storytelling and eerie, emotional fiction.
14. Sword and Scale
Sword and Scale dives into the darkest realms of true crime with a brutally unfiltered approach. Known for using real 911 calls, interrogation tapes, and court audio, this podcast is not for the faint of heart. Episodes like “Episode 20” (featuring a chilling Craigslist killer case) and “Episode 74” (covering family annihilators) are especially intense. Hosted by Mike Boudet, the show confronts the raw, disturbing side of humanity and is ideal for listeners who can handle graphic content and complex criminal psychology.
15. Limetown
What happened to the 300 people who vanished from a small research facility called Limetown? That’s the central mystery behind this fiction podcast, framed like a gripping investigative documentary. “Episode 1: What We Know” instantly pulls you in with eerie sound design and tight pacing. As the story unfolds through witness interviews and secret files, the layers of conspiracy, science, and fear deepen. Limetown is cinematic, suspenseful, and wildly immersive, a perfect binge for anyone who loves a good sci-fi-meets-mystery thriller.
16. Killer Psyche
Hosted by former FBI profiler Candice DeLong, Killer Psyche explores the minds of criminals behind some of the most disturbing cases in modern history. DeLong uses her decades of field experience to analyze motives, patterns, and the psychological drivers behind violent behavior. Must-listen episodes include “The Co-Ed Killer: Edmund Kemper” and “The Oklahoma Girl Scout Murders.” With its gripping narration and forensic depth, this Wondery podcast is perfect for listeners fascinated by criminal psychology and the “why” behind the crime.
17. The Truth
The Truth is a fiction podcast that feels like a movie for your ears. Each bite-sized audio drama packs an emotional punch, often ending with mysterious or eerie twists. “Tape Delay” explores a sports broadcast that isn’t what it seems, while “Silvia’s Blood” dips into haunting folklore. The voice acting and sound design are top-tier, creating vivid scenes in under 20 minutes. It's perfect for mystery lovers short on time but big on cinematic vibes, plot twists, and top-quality production.
18. Small Town Dicks
Hosted by Yeardley Smith (yep, Lisa Simpson!) and twin detectives Dan and Dave, Small Town Dicks brings real crime stories straight from small-town police departments. Episodes like “The Backyard Bones” and “The Box” show how even sleepy towns have shocking secrets. What makes it special is the firsthand perspective; these are real detectives sharing the actual cases they worked. It's equal parts cozy and creepy, with a steady pace, great storytelling, and respectful insight into the real work behind solving crimes.
19. Unresolved
If you love deep dives into cold cases and lesser-known mysteries, Unresolved is for you. Hosted by Michael Whelan, the show covers disappearances, unsolved murders, and strange phenomena with a calm, thoughtful tone. “The Death of Blair Adams” and “The Disappearance of Asha Degree” are excellent episodes to start with. Whelan’s respectful narration and thorough research set this podcast apart. It’s not flashy, but it’s heartfelt, dedicated to keeping forgotten stories alive, and reminding us that every mystery matters.
20. Obscura
Dark, brooding, and unsettling, Obscura dives into true crime stories that are often too disturbing for mainstream podcasts. Host Justin Drown’s poetic, atmospheric narration adds depth to cases like “The Girl in the Box,” a harrowing story of captivity and survival. The podcast often explores deeply human tragedies and psychological horror with intense respect and emotional weight. If you're looking for a haunting, serious true crime show that doesn’t shy away from the darkest corners of human behavior, Obscura delivers.
Case Closed (Almost)
There’s something magical about a good mystery podcast; it pulls you in, teases your brain, and keeps you coming back for more. Whether you're a true crime junkie, a lover of eerie fiction, or someone who just enjoys a twisty plot, this genre has something for everyone. And the best part? You can dive into these stories anytime, during your commute, a walk, or when you're curled up with a cup of tea.
The 20 mystery podcasts we’ve rounded up here are all unique, wildly engaging, and absolutely worth a listen. Some might leave you unsettled. Others might make you cry. A few might even inspire you to start solving cold cases from your couch (we don’t blame you). No matter which one you start with, you're in for a thrilling ride.
So, throw on your headphones, press play, and get ready to feel like a detective, because these podcasts don’t just tell stories. They pull you into them.
Podcast List Recap
- Criminal
- Up and Vanished
- The Magnus Archives
- Morbid
- Serial
- Casefile
- Someone Knows Something
- Welcome to Night Vale
- Missing & Murdered
- The Black Tapes
- The Vanished
- Dr. Death
- Alice Isn’t Dead
- Sword and Scale
- Limetown
- Deadly Women
- The Truth
- Small Town Dicks
- Unresolved
- Obscura
