The Most Popular True Crime on YouTube, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the true crime you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 1, 2024 06:52
In the dense and often overwhelming world of online video content, true crime series stand out for their gripping narratives and deep dives into the shadows of human nature. These series manage to turn viewers into amateur sleuths, eagerly piecing together clues from the comfort of their homes. However, with countless series floating across YouTube, it can feel daunting to find the ones that truly rise above the rest in terms of storytelling quality, accuracy, and engagement.
This dynamic ranking offers a streamlined solution by letting you, the viewer, have a direct hand in shaping which true crime channels are considered the best. By casting your vote, you contribute to a real-time leaderboard that reflects collective opinions and preferences. This not only helps new enthusiasts identify top-tier content more easily, but also ensures that your favorites get the recognition they deserve in the ever-popular genre of true crime.
What Is the Most Popular True Crime on YouTube?
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182votes
The Ted Bundy Tapes
Joe BerlingerThis Netflix documentary series about the notorious serial killer is one of the most popular true crime shows on YouTube. It includes interviews with Bundy himself and explores the psychology behind his crimes.The Ted Bundy Tapes is a true crime documentary series that delves into the life and crimes of notorious serial killer Ted Bundy. The series features recordings of conversations between Bundy and two journalists, providing insight into his mindset and modus operandi. It explores his early life, the crimes he committed, his arrest, and subsequent trials. With extensive interviews and archival footage, the series offers an in-depth look at one of the most captivating criminals in American history.- Genre: True Crime Documentary
- Release Date: January 24, 2019
- Episodes: 4
- Duration: Approximately 45-60 minutes per episode
- Platform: YouTube Originals
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224votesThis Netflix documentary series follows the story of Steven Avery, a man who was wrongfully convicted of a crime and then later convicted of another murder. The show raises questions about the justice system and the role of law enforcement in criminal cases.Making a Murderer is a critically acclaimed true crime documentary series that explores the story of Steven Avery, a man from Manitowoc County, Wisconsin. The series delves into Avery's wrongful conviction for sexual assault and attempted murder in 1985, his subsequent exoneration after serving 18 years in prison, and his arrest and conviction for the murder of Teresa Halbach in 2005. The documentary explores the flaws in the criminal justice system and raises questions about corruption, bias, and the power dynamics at play in Avery's case.
- Genre: True Crime Documentary
- Release Year: 2015
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 20
- Runtime per Episode: 45-75 minutes
Making a Murderer in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular documentary on Netflix
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314votesThis podcast series investigates the murder of a high school student and the subsequent conviction of her ex-boyfriend. The show raises questions about the reliability of eyewitness testimony and the fairness of the criminal justice system.Serial is a highly acclaimed podcast that tells gripping true crime stories in a serialized format. Each season follows a single story, delving deep into the investigation and shedding light on compelling characters and complex narratives. With its immersive storytelling and thought-provoking exploration of the criminal justice system, Serial has become one of the most addicting and influential podcasts of all time.
- Genre: True Crime
- Format: Serialized
- Episodes: Varies per season
- Average Episode Length: Approximately 45-60 minutes
- Release Date: October 3, 2014
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426votes
The Jinx
Andrew JareckiThis HBO documentary series explores the life of Robert Durst, a wealthy real estate heir who was suspected of multiple murders. The show includes interviews with Durst himself and raises questions about his guilt or innocence.The Jinx is a popular true crime documentary series on YouTube that explores the life and alleged crimes of real estate heir Robert Durst. Through interviews, archival footage, and reenactments, the series presents a compelling narrative surrounding Durst and his involvement in several crimes, including the disappearance of his wife and the murder of a close friend.- Title: The Jinx
- Genre: True Crime Documentary
- Episodes: 6
- Release Year: 2015
- Running Time: Approximately 6 hours
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517votes
The Staircase
Jean-Xavier de LestradeThis Netflix documentary series follows the trial of Michael Peterson, a man who was accused of murdering his wife. The show raises questions about the reliability of forensic evidence and the role of the media in criminal trials.The Staircase is a true crime documentary series that examines the controversial case of novelist Michael Peterson, who was accused of murdering his wife Kathleen in 2001. The series follows the high-profile trial and delves into the complex relationship and dynamics within the Peterson family. It explores the theory that Kathleen's death was the result of falling down the staircase, as well as the prosecution's argument that it was a premeditated murder.- Genre: True Crime
- Release Date: 2004 (original), 2018 (expanded version)
- Number of Episodes: 8 (original), 13 (expanded version)
- Running Time: 45-60 minutes per episode
- Language: English, with some French
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613votes
Unsolved Mysteries
BuzzFeedThis true crime show was popular in the 1990s and has since been revived by Netflix. The show explores unsolved crimes and mysteries, including murders, disappearances, and paranormal phenomena.Unsolved Mysteries is a popular true crime YouTube series that delves into unsolved cases and mysterious events from around the world. The show aims to shed light on these cases and encourage viewers to come forward with any information they may have. Each episode features detailed reenactments, interviews with experts and witnesses, and explores various theories and evidence surrounding the mysteries.- Genre: True crime
- Average episode length: 40 minutes
- Language: English
- Upload frequency: Weekly
- Total episodes (as of September 2021): 75+
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715votes
The Keepers
Ryan WhiteThis Netflix documentary series explores the unsolved murder of a nun in Baltimore and the alleged cover-up by the Catholic Church. The show raises questions about institutional corruption and abuse of power.The Keepers is a gripping true crime documentary series that delves into the unsolved murder of Sister Cathy Cesnik, a beloved Catholic nun and high school teacher in Baltimore. Created by Ryan White, this seven-part series explores the dark underbelly of a Catholic institution and the secrets that have remained buried for decades.- Genre: True Crime
- Episodes: 7
- Runtime per Episode: Approximately 60 minutes
- Release Year: 2017
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
The Keepers in other rankings- Position 7 of 10 in Most popular documentary on Netflix
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88votes
The Case Against Adnan Syed
HBO Documentary FilmsThis HBO documentary series follows up on the story of Adnan Syed, who was convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend in 1999. The show raises questions about the fairness of Syed's trial and the reliability of witness testimony.The Case Against Adnan Syed is a true crime documentary series that re-examines the 1999 murder of Hae Min Lee and the conviction of her ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed. The series delves into the evidence and events surrounding the case, exploring various theories and raising questions about Syed's guilt or innocence.- Episodes: 4
- Release Date: March 10, 2019
- Genre: True Crime
- Running Time: Approximately 4 hours
- Main Focus: Revisiting the conviction of Adnan Syed
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911votesThis Netflix series is based on the book of the same name and follows FBI agents who interview serial killers in order to better understand their psychology. The show raises questions about the nature of evil and the role of punishment in criminal justice.Mindhunter is a popular crime drama series that revolves around two FBI agents delving into the psychology of serial killers to solve ongoing cases. The show explores the early days of criminal profiling and the development of the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit.
- Genre: Crime drama, Psychological thriller
- Country of origin: United States
- Original language(s): English
- Number of seasons: 2
- Number of episodes: 19
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108votes
The Confession Killer
Robert KennerThis Netflix documentary series explores the story of Henry Lee Lucas, a man who confessed to over 300 murders but later recanted many of his confessions. The show raises questions about the reliability of confessions and the role of law enforcement in criminal investigations.The Confession Killer is a gripping true crime documentary series on Netflix that delves into the disturbing case of Henry Lee Lucas, a man who claimed responsibility for hundreds of murders in the 1980s. Created by Robert Kenner, the series investigates the shocking confession spree and the doubts surrounding Lucas' guilt, ultimately questioning whether justice was truly served. With its chilling narrative, the series highlights the flaws in the criminal justice system and the impact of false confessions.- Genre: True Crime
- Original Release: 2019
- Number of Episodes: 5
- Runtime: Approximately 45-60 minutes per episode
- Language: English
The Confession Killer in other rankings- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular documentary on Netflix
Missing your favorite true crime?
Graphs
Discussion
Ranking factors for popular true crime
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ViewsThe number of views a particular true crime video has can indicate its popularity.
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EngagementThis factor can be measured by the number of likes, comments, and shares a video gets. The more engagement a video has, the more popular it is.
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Subscriber countChannels with a large subscriber base tend to have a higher likelihood of producing popular true crime content.
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TopicThe topic of the true crime can also be a determining factor. Some topics, such as serial killers and unsolved mysteries, tend to draw more interest than others.
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Quality of the productionThe quality of the production is another essential factor that can help to determine the popularity of true crime videos. The production should be well done and engaging, with good sound, lighting, and editing.
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RelevanceFinally, the relevancy of the topic can also contribute to the popularity of a true crime video. If the crime is timely or relevant to current events, it could garner more interest.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular true crime on YouTube. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or case is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2426 views
- 218 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each case once every 24 hours. The rank of each case is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular true crime on youtube
True crime has always been a subject of fascination and intrigue. And with the rise of YouTube, it's no surprise that this genre has found a new platform to captivate audiences. From infamous cases to unsolved mysteries, there are countless true crime channels on YouTube that explore the darker side of human nature. True crime content on YouTube not only provides a source of entertainment, but also serves as a way to educate people about the criminal justice system and raise awareness about important issues. So, it's no wonder that the most popular true crime on YouTube has become a hot topic of discussion among viewers. Let's dive in and explore some of the most popular true crime channels and cases on YouTube.
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