19 powerful pop culture wizards

Wizards, witches, sorcerers — whatever you want to call them, these characters are pure magic. Of course, their magic can be used for both good and evil, but the fact remains that you don't want to mess with them, no matter which side you're on. This list of our favorite pop culture wizards includes treasured mentors like Harry Potter's Albus Dumbledore alongside true villains like Sauron (The Lord of the Rings), plus those who are somewhere in between. (Face it: Is Glinda really a "good" witch when you think about it?)

Let's take a look at our favorite wizards and overall magic makers of pop culture.

01 of 19

Merlin (Nicol Williamson), Excalibur (1981)

Nicol Williamson in 'Excalibur'. Everett Collection

Probably the most famous wizard in all of popular culture — yes, even eclipsing Harry Potter — Merlin's greatest feat was helping Arthur Pendragon find a very nice sword (Excalibur) and an even nicer cup (the Holy Grail).

02 of 19

Albus Dumbledore (Richard Harris/Michael Gambon), Harry Potter franchise (2001–11); (Jude Law) Fantastic Beasts franchise (2016–22)

Michael Gambon in 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'.
Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Even in his declining years, the headmaster of Hogwarts was a formidable mage — but in his youth, full of vigor and brio, Albus Dumbledore was a force to be reckoned with. If only his [SPOILER ALERT] death wasn't so sudden and easily avoidable.

03 of 19

Gandalf (Ian McKellen), The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001–03) and The Hobbit trilogy (2012–14)

Ian McKellen in 'The Lord of the Rings' — Ian McKellen in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers'. Pierre Vinet

Though you can count on one hand the number of times Gandalf actually uses any magic in Peter Jackson's films, the Grey Pilgrim still commands enormous respect and carries a very nice staff.

04 of 19

Glinda the Good Witch (Billie Burke), The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Billie Burke in 'The Wizard of Oz'. Everett Collection

More skilled than the Wicked Witch of the West, way more powerful than the ''wizard'' of Oz and presumably able to take a shower, Glinda is the very model of a modern female sorcerer. Glinda’s sorcery-in-training days at Shiz University will be chronicled in the two-part movie musical Wicked (2024, 2025), with the young witch being played by Ariana Grande.

05 of 19

Willow Rosenberg (Alyson Hannigan), Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)

Alyson Hannigan on 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'. Robert Voets/ UPN

Her transformation from schoolhouse mouse to Research Girl to mystic dabbler to Witchy Wiccan Willow was something to behold — as was her unbridled power when her true love was taken from her. Dark Willow was on the path to destroying the world before a blast from the past pulled her back from the brink.

06 of 19

The White Witch (Tilda Swinton), The Chronicles of Narnia films (2005–10)

Tilda Swinton in 'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'. Phil Bray

Pure evil. Also, really liked the cold. So much so that she covered most of Narnia in ice.

07 of 19

Sauron, The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001–03)

Sauron in 'The Lord of the Rings'. Pierre Vinet

How robust a warlock is this, the scourge of Middle-earth? You barely even saw him, and he instilled everyone with a knee-knocking sense of dread. He didn't even have hands, yet he gathered about him every fell beast imaginable, all to find the One Ring and kill whoever carries it. Granted, maybe investing so much of his power into the One Ring wasn't the best tactical maneuver.

08 of 19

Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes), Harry Potter franchise (2005–11)

Ralph Fiennes in 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'.
Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Granted, the former Tom Riddle had a devil of a time killing just one little boy — apparently, love is Voldermort's kryptonite — but he also engineered the death of Dumbledore, the dismantling of Hogwarts, and the destruction of many a Death Eater's soul. All without a nose.

09 of 19

Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), Marvel Cinematic Universe (2016–present)

Benedict Cumberbatch in 'Doctor Strange'. Marvel Studios

Strange was once a gifted, narcissistic neurosurgeon who, after losing the use of his hands, looked for a cure in the mythic Himalayas. Instead, he found his destiny: to become a master of the mystic arts and protect the planet from magical threats as Earth's Sorcerer Supreme.

10 of 19

Zatanna, DC Comics (1964–present)

A sorceress who can trace her heritage back to alchemist Nicholas Flamel, soothsayer Nostradamus, and Leonardo da Vinci, Zatanna is one of the most powerful characters in the DC Universe, aiding the Justice League whenever her natural magical skills can be of service. (Why she doesn't magic herself some pants remains a mystery.)

11 of 19

Jafar (Jonathan Freeman), Aladdin (1992)

Jafar in 'Aladdin'.
Walt Disney Productions

This not-so-humble court vizier gave in to his delusions of grandeur — especially when he got his hands on the genie's lamp he hired a street rat to swipe from the Cave of Wonders. With Genie's power at his disposal, Jafar took his place among the most powerful wizards in pop culture. For a little while, anyway. Then he got greedy.

12 of 19

Prospero, The Tempest (1600s)

The Tempest's Prospero — Prospero from 'The Tempest'. Mary Evans Picture Library/Everett Collection

William Shakespeare seemed to have a little thing for magic...and revenge. So, at the center of this story about an Italian nobleman who was betrayed by his brother and exiled — with his daughter, Miranda — on a deserted island, one finds a wizard. Julie Taymor adapted The Tempest into a feature film in 2010, starring Helen Mirren as the sorceress Prospera.

13 of 19

Ursula (Pat Carroll), The Little Mermaid (1989)

Ursula in 'The Little Mermaid'. Everett Collection

An all-singing, all-dancing, all-evil underwater witch for the ages. Not only could she steal beautiful voices, but Ursula could change form at will and — after stealing Triton's helm and trident — have mastery over the seas as well. The shimmying sea witch was brought to life in the 2023 live-action remake of The Little Mermaid by Melissa McCarthy.

14 of 19

David Lo Pan (James Hong), Big Trouble in Little China (1986)

James Hong in 'Big Trouble in Little China'. Everett Collection

Cursed by a Chinese emperor centuries ago, Chinatown gang lord Lo Pan led a ghostly existence — unless he could break the curse by sacrificing a girl with green eyes. Lo Pan's plan went awry when he kidnapped a pair of women, both of whom meant something to rogue trucker Jack Burton (Kurt Russell).

15 of 19

Jareth (David Bowie), Labyrinth (1986)

David Bowie in 'Labyrinth' — Everett Collection

The devilish Goblin King gave protagonist Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) 13 hours to break free of his supernatural maze in order to save her infant half-brother, Toby. Jareth made for a most enchanting sorcerer, with a shock of blond hair and some out-of-this-world pipes.

16 of 19

Mickey Mouse, Fantasia (1940)

Mickey Mouse in 'Fantasia'.
Walt Disney/Courtesy Everett Collection

Mickey Mouse has been slotted into numerous scenarios since he was created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks in 1928, but his appearance in Fantasia is one of his most iconic. In the segment "The Sorcerer's Apprentice," Mickey grows increasingly exhausted from doing chores and chooses to experiment with the sorcerer's magic to help him, to chaotic results.

17 of 19

Howl, Howl's Moving Castle (2004)

Howl and Sophie in 'Howl's Moving Castle'.
Studio Ghibli/Ntv/Tokuma

This raven-haired wizard sees life in his titular moving castle interrupted with the arrival of Sophie, a young girl who's been turned into an elderly woman by a wicked witch.

18 of 19

Billy Batson/Shazam (Zachary Levi), Shazam! (2019)

Zachary Levi in 'Shazam!'. Steve Wilkie/© DC Comics

Fourteen-year-old Billy Baston (Asher Angel) becomes the unlikely successor to the wizard Shazam's powers. Blessed with the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the stamina of Atlas, the power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles, and the speed of Mercury, Billy finds himself able to transform into an adult superhero (Zachary Levi) as he fights against a villain who desires his powers.

19 of 19

Alex Russo (Selena Gomez), Wizards of Waverly Place (2007–12)

Selena Gomez on 'Wizards of Waverly Place'.
Criag Sjdoin/DISNEY CHANNEL/courtesy everett collection

Selena Gomez became a star thanks to her role as teenage wizard Alex Russo on Wizards of Waverly Place. Alex trains alongside her siblings to become the sole heir of their father's magical powers, though she must also keep her magic a secret from mortals.

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