If you’re a fan of the twisted, the unexplained, and the downright chilling, you’re in the right place. True crime has taken over YouTube, drawing millions into a rabbit hole of real-life horror. But with countless channels promising to unveil the darkest secrets, where do you even begin?
In this post, we’re cutting through the noise to spotlight the creators who are truly doing justice to the genre. Let’s dive in.
1) Truly Criminal
Truly Criminal takes viewers through both well-known and obscure crime cases from around the world. With a mix of solved and unsolved mysteries, the channel delves deep into investigations and court proceedings, making it feel like a mini-documentary, with episodes typically lasting over 30 minutes. The cases range from historical tragedies to modern-day crimes, often highlighting lesser-known victims. Their storytelling is compelling, always giving just the right balance of facts and emotion, drawing you in from the first moment.
2) Coffeehouse Crime
Picture this: a narrator with a soft, almost calming voice telling you about gruesome cases while sitting in a cozy cafe setting. That's Coffeehouse Crime: a blend of the comfortable and the macabre, presenting real-life crime stories with a laid-back but engaging delivery. Host Adrian walks you through mysteries and criminal cases from all over the world, giving them the feel of a casual chat over a brew. It’s calm, it’s engaging, and it’s a refreshing break from overly dramatic crime shows.
3) Explore With Us
Explore With Us offers an eerie yet captivating combination of investigation and exploration. Over time, EWU has built a reputation for in-depth research and providing detailed timelines, ensuring that even the most complex unsolved cases, mysterious disappearances, and conspiracies are easy to follow. With its gripping narrative style and engaging visuals, it’s hard not to be hooked.
4) Dire Trip
Ever stumbled upon a scary story that gives you the chills? Dire Trip dives into eerie crimes and disturbing cases that leave you questioning everything. Each video focuses on unsettling mysteries and bizarre crimes, and despite everything being as real as it gets, you feel like you’re hearing a ghost story. The cases range from forgotten tragedies to baffling disappearances. It’s the perfect channel if you’re a fan of dark, unsettling content that doesn’t overdramatize the facts. Instead, it lets the stories speak for themselves, making them all the more haunting.
5) Disturban
When it comes to true crime, you sometimes have to ask yourself: how much can you handle? Disturban might just be your limit, offering an unflinching look at some of the darkest crime cases out there. With a no-nonsense approach, the channel takes you into the most disturbing aspects of true crime, from violent murders to long-unsolved mysteries. The content is well-researched and always delivers with a serious, gritty tone.
6) Lazy Masquerade
Lazy Masquerade, run by Samuel Ayling, blends horror and even paranormal storytelling with true crime cases, making it a unique channel in the horror YouTube scene. With over 1.7 million subscribers, Lazy is known for his chilling narrations of eerie true stories, urban legends, and unsolved mysteries. The calm, almost detached narration adds a spine-tingling layer to tales about everything from disturbing 4chan posts to forgotten cold cases.
7) Rotten Mango
Rotten Mango is a true crime and mystery podcast hosted by Stephanie Soo, a YouTuber known for her mukbang content. Combining chilling tales with her candid, conversational style, Stephanie covers both infamous and lesser-known criminal cases. You’ll find a mix of deep dives into historical crimes, unsolved mysteries, and even recent events, all with a touch of Stephanie’s witty commentary. There's a great contrast between the dark stories and her approachable style, which could just be the perfect balance for casual listeners looking to get into true crime.
8) Dreading (crime and psychology)
Ever wondered what goes on inside a criminal’s mind? Dreading (Crime and Psychology) dives deep into the psychology of crime, dissecting not just the events but the psychological triggers behind them. This channel brings a unique angle by combining criminal case studies with psychological analysis, helping viewers understand the motivations behind some of the darkest acts. It’s perfect for anyone curious about the ‘why’ behind the crime.
9) M7 Crime Storytime
M7 Crime Storytime dives into some of the most notorious crime stories with a focus on storytelling and a touch of suspense. The channel features detailed retellings of crimes that range from famous international cases to those that are lesser-known but equally shocking. Its methodical approach and clean narrative structure make it easy to follow even the most complex stories. If you’re a fan of concise yet comprehensive case breakdowns, M7 Crime Storytime strikes the perfect balance. Each video is tightly packed with information, but never overwhelming, making it a solid pick for viewers who enjoy their true crime straight to the point.
10) Kendall Rae
Kendall Rae is a popular figure in the YouTube true crime community, known for her in-depth research and compassionate approach to covering sensitive cases. While many creators focus on sensational details, Kendall goes a step further by centering her content around victim advocacy. She uses her platform to give families a chance to share their side of the story, even linking to GoFundMe pages and petitions to support their causes. A standout example is when she worked closely with the family of Raymond Green to help them raise awareness about his case. There's a very real, human side to each story, and her activism is why she's such a trusted voice in the true crime space.
11) Real Crime
With over 1.7 million subscribers, Real Crime is a powerhouse in the world of true crime YouTube channels. The channel covers everything from serial killers like Ted Bundy to organized crime syndicates, offering detailed breakdowns of both the crimes and the investigations. Each upload tends to be hours long, a full-length documentary, and provides in-depth looks at investigations and the criminals behind them. It could be a gripping gangland story or a historical murder case, but with hundreds of hours of content, this channel is perfect for true crime aficionados who prefer a deep, detailed dive into the world of crime.
12) Law&Crime Network
If you’re looking for a mix of live courtroom trials and gripping true crime stories, Law&Crime Network is the go-to choice on YouTube. Created by legal expert Dan Abrams, the channel is best known for streaming high-profile trials, like the Johnny Depp defamation case and the Alex Murdaugh trial. But it goes beyond just legal commentary—Law&Crime also produces original true crime series, such as The Lineup, which uses surveillance footage to provide real-time insights into crime scenes.
13) True Lives
True Lives takes a more human-centric approach to true crime, diving deep into the personal stories behind the headlines. Instead of focusing solely on the crime itself, this channel explores the ripple effects on victims, families, and communities. You get a balanced view that combines investigative journalism with emotional storytelling, making it a more reflective take on the genre. For anyone who wants to understand not just what happened, but how it changed the lives of those involved, True Lives offers something unique and truly different.
14) True Crime Stories
Short on time but need your crime fix? True Crime Stories gives you just that—quick, informative 20-minute videos that get straight to the point. You won’t find long-winded explanations or overly dramatic presentations here. Instead, it’s about giving you the facts of the case as efficiently as possible. It’s perfect for when you need something to binge, but don’t want to commit to hour-long documentaries. Quick, punchy, and always interesting.
15) Eleanor Neale
Why do so many viewers love Eleanor Neale’s channel? It’s simple: the balance of in-depth research with an approachable tone. She primarily covers UK-based true crime stories but often ventures into international cases, giving her content a broad appeal. The thoroughness of her research shines, as she pieces together even the most complicated cases in a way that’s easy to follow. Plus, there’s a refreshing personal touch, as she breaks up the intensity with lifestyle content on her second channel, Ellie Neale, giving her viewers a brief respite from all the gruesome details.
