Unpopular opinion: Mankind’s odd fascination with true crimes is kind of questionable. I mean, how are we okay with relaxing to podcasts or videos about gruesome, real-life murder and unsolved mysteries? But such is the mystery of people: The true crime genre continues to be as popular as ever in the entertainment scene.
We also see that this genre’s ethics are fraught with pitfalls, but that’s another story.
If you’re new to this entertainment genre, or if you’re looking to break from your usual cable or streaming fodder, here is a list of 10–five of which managed by Filipinos–YouTube channels to follow if you’re into true crimes, or plan to get obsessed with true crimes:
Buzzfeed Unsolved Network
From discussing aliens and unknown entities to analyzing grisly crimes, Buzzfeed Unsolved Network has been at the forefront of true crime analysis since 2016.
Buzzfeed’s compelling visuals will make you feel as if you’ve lived through the horrific events (yikes). Plus, the personal sentiments of the hosts (Yes, they casually converse and feel fear, too!) can add up to the creeping feeling of fear that you’ll certainly encounter from watching their true crime videos.
Here’s a sample from that channel:
Follow Buzzfeed Unsolved Network on YouTube.
True Crime Daily
If you’re looking for true crime documentaries that go for a more comprehensive and in-depth approach, True Crime Daily might be the channel that will satiate this.
Since 2014, the channel has grown a solid following with 4.87 million subscribers.
True Crime Daily features host Ana Garcia as she delves into old and current crime cases within the US while counseling with professionals in the field such as crime experts, police authorities, and lawyers in their podcasts and documentaries.
Here’s a sample from this channel:
Follow True Crime Daily on YouTube.
Bailey Sarian
Wondering if makeup tutorials and true crime stories blend well together? Well, Bailey Sarian has proven that these two can coexist in one video and still be a compelling content.
What’s striking about Bailey’s content is how she manages to talk casually and freely to her audiences like she’s a long-time friend of some sort, making them feel more hooked into the events that unfold throughout the crime.
Here’s a sample from this channel:
Follow Bailey Sarian on YouTube.
Vintage Files
Although Vintage Files concentrates on discussing various historical places, things, and people, this channel also explores deeper into some understated crimes from the past.
This channel is perfect for those who don’t have the time and energy to sit through 40-minute to hour long episodes because their videos are usually no longer than 15 minutes.
Here’s a sample from this channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uEiL0WQu_A
Follow Vintage Files on YouTube.
Criminally Listed
Fans of unresolved crimes should pay close attention to Criminally Listed’s YouTube videos because they will surely keep you up late at night thinking about them.
From serial killers, cults, to cannibals, the horrid crimes highlighted on this channel are put together to make you feel like you want to be a detective yourself just to solve some unfinished cases.
Just like Vintage Files, you can watch Criminally Listed’s videos if you have a little too much on your plate as they have short and succinct content as well.
Here’s a sample from this channel:
Follow Criminally Listed on YouTube.
Martin Rules
Did somebody call for a ‘gaytective’? Youtuber Martin Rules is here to serve you some true crime content while they put their best lipstick on!
Just like Bailey Sarian, Martin also mixes makeup with true crime discourse. In fact, from their interview with POP!, the young Filipino YouTuber mentioned that they were inspired by Bailey’s videos. Martin usually puts out controversial cases and discusses them while casually conversing with their viewers (Yes, Bailey Sarian style), which really works for them.
Martin posts true crime videos on YouTube every Thursday.
Here’s a sample from this channel:
Follow Martin Rules on YouTube.
Murder Recollection
While Murder Recollection is a newbie true crime YouTube channel that was just established on April 9, 2021, crime junkies still need to keep their tabs on for this one.
This channel does recaps of internationally-known true crimes in Filipino and tackles mostly on murder cases.
Here’s a sample from this channel:
Follow Murder Recollection on YouTube
Explore With Us PH
Explore With Us PH is a recent addition to the Philippine True Crime Wave. They posted their first video on March 7, 2021, and since then, they have tackled various true crime stories about cold cases and the like.
They also create videos that have something to do with unresolved supernatural occurrences which appeal to a lot of audiences as well.
Here’s a sample from this channel:
Follow Explore With Us PH on YouTube.
TrageDiaries
True crime fans and animated film enthusiasts will most likely enjoy the content of TrageDiaries because of how heavily reliant it is on CGI and animation.
The channel posts grim crime events such as the Manila hostage-taking scene and the SAF 44 case that took place in Maguindanao in 2015.
Though the channel has not been the most active in posting content, you can still watch their previous videos which were all well-made. Like, really. The quality is really impressive.
Here’s a sample from this channel:
Follow TrageDiaries on YouTube (who knows? Maybe we’ll get an update).
Hilakbot Haunted History
Apart from creating videos about Philippine urban legends, Hilakbot Haunted History also caters to true crime lovers as well. Presenting unsolved mysteries and crime from different eras in history, the channel focuses both on Filipino and foreign mystery cases.
Not only that, they also create short animated fictional horror videos that perfectly convey the chilling stories.
Here’s a sample from this channel:
Follow Hilakbot Haunted History on YouTube.
Enjoy your True Crime and chill. /VT
Other POP! stories you might like:
Unpopular opinion: Mankind has a problem with its fixation with true crimes
The dangers of Doomsurfing and how to avoid them
Dutch scientists may have unlocked the mystery of Van Gogh’s ear mutilation
Martin Rules: The gaytective that brings makeup and true crime together