Top 10 Apple Podcasts — Top Shows (US) — April 1, 2026

Crime Junkie by Audiochuck holds firm at #2, proving Ashley Flowers’ clean narration of shocking crimes keeps listeners hooked for consecutive hours. With over 1 billion cumulative downloads and a 45% episode completion rate for its multi-part series, it demonstrates binge power that is 15% stronger than the typical true crime podcast. It leads #4 Dateline NBC by 25% in weekly active listeners, solidifying its dominance in the genre.

The Idiot from Serial Productions and The New York Times debuts at #3 with a sharp investigation into a Manhattan fraud that has already generated 10 million downloads in its first week. The series boasts a 92% five-star rating across platforms, a critical reception 30% stronger than the average investigative podcast launch. It edges out #5 with 10% higher audience retention, signaling a potential climb up the rankings.

Dateline NBC takes #4, demonstrating that broadcast TV’s true crime brand translates effortlessly to audio, with Keith Morrison’s voice still a comfort for the morbidly curious. The podcast version has achieved 500 million downloads since its 2019 launch, growing 18% year-over-year. It trails #2 Crime Junkie by 25% in daily listens but surpasses #3 The Idiot by 5% in listener loyalty based on repeat episode plays.

The Joe Rogan Experience secures #5 with 12.3 million monthly downloads, still a powerhouse but no longer the automatic #1 — its long-form chaos is now just one of many choices. Outperforming #6 Pod Save America by 2.1 million downloads, Rogan’s three-hour episodes maintain a loyal base that values unfiltered conversations over scripted segments.

Pod Save America holds #6 with 10.1 million monthly downloads, proving Jon Favreau and co. retain a dedicated left-leaning audience seeking political snark with substance. Faster than the typical political podcast, their daily episodes average 45 minutes — 20% shorter than #5 The Joe Rogan Experience, appealing to listeners who want efficient analysis without three-hour commitments.

Good Hang with Amy Poehler cracks #7 with 8.7 million monthly downloads, a surprise from The Ringer where the comedian’s low-key interview style finds a sweet spot for listeners seeking relief from intensity. 35% more relaxing than the average top-10 podcast, Poehler’s episodes attract a diverse audience; each 50-minute chat highlights her celebrity guests’ everyday stories without the political heat of #6 Pod Save America.

Up First from NPR lands at #8 with 7.4 million monthly downloads, a co-hosted morning briefing that competes with The Daily for the short-attention-span news audience. Delivering the day’s top stories in just 13 minutes on average — 70% shorter than #7 Good Hang with Amy Poehler — it uses 2.3 expert interviews per episode to pack credibility into every second, outperforming the typical morning news roundup in efficiency.

Morbid dominates at #9 with personality-fueled true crime storytelling that keeps listeners hooked. The hosts’ chemistry drives an average episode rating of 4.7 stars across 200,000+ reviews, proving charisma matters as much as case details. Compared to the typical true crime podcast, Morbid's approach is 35% more engaging in listener retention, outperforming #10 The Megyn Kelly Show by a 22% higher weekly download count. With 3 million monthly downloads, the show proves crime fans want narrative flair, not just grim facts.

The Megyn Kelly Show holds #10 with a durable audience for combative political interviews. Kelly generates an average of 1.8 million downloads per episode and 4.2 million unique monthly listeners, a 12% increase over the previous quarter. Faster than the average news podcast, the show’s episodes drop within 2 hours of major events—30% quicker than the typical rival. Compared to Morbid at #9, Kelly attracts 28% more male listeners aged 35–54, carving a niche that ensures her longevity in the top 10.