Theres, of course, the Bible, and then Malleus Maleficarum, a medieval book seen as the de facto manual on witchcraft and its heretic nature. Anthony Carrigan Noho Hank. Alex Russo (Selena Gomez), Wizards of Waverly Place. Wizards have been part of history for centuries. The mythical Merlin is a wizard from Arthurian legend. We have selected the top wizards and witches across film, television, video games, comics, and books and ranked them according to powers + power in pop culture. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. Most early depictions of witches framed them as possessing malevolent energy. Dark Willow was on the path to destroying the world before a blast from the past pulled her back from the brink. The Three Witches of Macbeth exist as a menacing force, even if theyre not remotely the only villains in that particular play. Harry Potter 20th anniversary: How Harry Potter changed the world - Vox The man behind the myth has been variously described as the son of the devil, the product of God, a wilderness-loving madman, a worldly tutor and the prophet of the Holy Grail. Things like "a kung fu movie character", "like a forest witch", "like a crusader" or "like a catholic saint", but I can't think of an example for warlock. He is also the founder and leader of the Order of the Phoenix, the group of wizards and witches determined to stop Lord Voldermort from rising to power. Witches are rarely without some sort of inner evil, but Glinda? Ditto in Halloweentown, in which the family matriarch, Agatha Cromwell, resides in the titular town full of monsters and magic, and for whom not using magic is a perplexing arrangement. There are still leagues to go in depicting witchcraft in its full diverse practice. 25 Best Pop Culture Examples (A to Z List) - Helpful Professor Winifred Winnie Sanderson (Bette Midler), Hocus Pocus, She sings. William Shakespeare seemed to have a little thing for magicand revenge. Ok, hes not exactly a wizard, but David Copperfield is one hell of a magician who fits nicely in the world of wizards. Google Pay. Almost exactly 20 years ago, on September 1, 1998, Scholastic published Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone, the first US edition of the UKs Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone. The Outsiders reinvented young adult fiction. As if it werent bad enough to go through puberty, pass Defense Against the Dark Arts, and figure out how to ask a girl out, he had to avoid being killed by the greatest dark wizard in history. COPYRIGHT 2023 Next Luxury ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Wicked indeed. He takes on many different forms, but the most recognized is that of a disembodied eye. Justin Russo (David Henrie), Wizards of Waverly Place, 93. Evil sorcerers, lovable goofs, and dead-raising magicians witches and wizards of pop culture come in all shapes and sizes (including the Jedi variety, which weve controversially decided to include). Brenda Loveknot ( Discworld) Lythande ( Thieves' World, Lythande) M. Aunt Mab ( Graveyard School) Ciaran MacEwan ( Sweep) Maghatch ( Thunder Oak) Maharet and Mekare ( The Vampire Chronicles) Makenna ( The Goblin Wood) Maleen, Goth and The Leewit ( The Witches of Karres) by James H Schmitz. plays the mythical wizard in a commanding performance that is the definitive version of the character. One of the most celebrated fictional warlocks is the everyman John Constantine. Here are just two of the ways Harry Potter changed publishing, and how those changes affected the rest of pop culture: 1) The books made it possible to publish long works aimed at children. Pure evil. He is said to have eaten poisoned cakes and drunk poisoned wine without consequence. Before his death, in 1931, the prolific inventor amassed a record 1,093 patents for creations including the phonograph, the motion-picture camera . The myth of Merlin can be traced all the way back to ancient Celtic lore, but it wasn't until an English bishop published Historia regum Britanniae in 1135 that the wizard became, by medieval standards, a pop-culture icon. Ralph Fiennes, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire | Ralph Fiennes in the Harry Potter saga (2001-present) Granted, the former Tom Riddle has a devil of a time killing just one little boy — Marvel's DOCTOR STRANGE (2016)Benedict Cumberbatch CR: Marvel, 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, Aladdin | Jonathan Freeman in Aladdin (1992) This not-so-humble court vizier gives in to his delusions of grandeur — especially when he gets his hands on the, The Tempest (1600s) William Shakespeare seemed to have a little thing for magicand revenge. The wuxia series have vast magical and sorcery cultivation, and Wei Wu Xian is the most powerful demonic cultivator of them all, (top of his generation) caring little for rules. But, generally, witches attempting to blend into their non-magical communities arent the most seamless at it. Making a splash: A deep dive into the live-action, 15 Scary Movies We Saw as Kids That Still Haunt Our Nightmares, 17 Surprisingly Scary Kids Movie Moments, Syfys serialization of his journey to Brakebills, 20 Celebs Who Starred in Horror Movies Before They Made it Big, hes portrayed by the one and only Benedict Cumberbatch, 8 horrifying books about real haunted houses to read with the lights on, 9 Haunted House Books to Keep You Up At Night. Not only can she steal beautiful voices, Ursula has, Big Trouble in Little China | James Hong in Big Trouble in Little China (1986) Cursed by a Chinese emperor centuries ago, Chinatown gang lord Lo Pan leads a ghostly existence. Sir Ian McKellenplays the mythical wizard in a commanding performance that is the definitive version of the character. Cedric the Sensational (Jess Harnell), Sofia the First, 83. Identifiable thanks to his long great beard and even bigger pointy hat, Gandalf is possessed with great power, but that doesnt mean he cant be killed. The formalized education strictly points to the set of rules and regulations within the magical community. 9. Bring down evil entities in your spare time? Never forget: Before she went to Tomorrowland, Britt Robertson was doing semi-dark magic with a group of attractive teens on The CW. He has perfected many great magic tricks over time and is remembered for making the Statue of Liberty disappear as well as walking through the Great Wall of China. A former surgeon who is now one of the most powerful wizards in the world, Dr Strange protects the world from mythical threats. In some regions, pressure to censor the series was so high it led to lawsuits: In 2003, a judge ordered an Arkansas school district that had removed the books from schools due to promotion of the religion of witchcraft to return them. 7. The Harry Potter generation likes to read, for sure millennials read more than any other generation and it also created a cultural landscape in which books for children are major cultural forces, and a go-to well of ideas for Hollywood. Depictions of witches in modern media is more varied than ever, but generally still falls within the confines of familiar tropes. The Untamedfollows the story of Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji, two young cultivators that fall in love in ancient China. A number of Harry Potter fans also went on to make significant marks on mainstream culture. Albus Dumbledore is a very smart wizard with a heart of gold who does his best to help guide Harry on his journey as the chosen one. 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. But if you are an adult who can imagine reading for more than one reason (the pleasures of story, the joy of immersing yourself in another world), the Harry Potter books become enormously appealing. Miracle Max (Billy Crystal), Princess Bride. Books, movies, TV shows, and other mediums have featured these spell-casting humans. Maleficent (Eleanor Audley), Sleeping Beauty. And in both iterations of Charmed, a magical mentor called a Whitelighter guides the Halliwell sistersand more recently, the Verasthrough their magical studies. As such, attempts to stay under the radar are largely imperfect. We've compiled a list of the most powerful and well-known wizards throughout history and pop culture that is sure to leave you spellbound. Now its your turn: Who is YOUR favorite witch or wizard? Bellatrix Lestrange (Helena Bonham Carter), Harry Potter. In most depictions of modern witchcraft, good witches live in our midst with their true powers (mostly) hidden. The fact that shes played by the irreplaceable Debbie Reynolds only adds to her charm, turning what could be a questionable character into a captivating one. Thomas Edison didn't technically have supernatural powers, but he didn't earn the nickname "the Wizard of Menlo Park" for nothing. The young persons guide to conquering (and saving) the world. 20 most famous wizards of all time from history and fiction NEXT: Wizards and witches 49 25[pagebreak], 49. It was written by a pair of German Domenicans so it certainly had ties to the church but its popularity extended far beyond the churchand even surpassed the Bible in popularity for a time. I know, they dont possess any magical powers, but lets not forget the great Michael Jordon, who is wizard-like with his basketball abilities, did play for them. However, so much of what we see depicted in media are that of cis, white, able-bodied women. With, naturally, a broader gradient between good and evil, leaving a lot of room in-between. Given the secrecy surrounding witches existence, its a given that education is a vital element. James Hong in Big Trouble in Little China (1986). But Harry Potter changed the world. Who Are Most Powerful Wizards in Literature? - Toptenz.net Most famously L. Frank Baum's novel The Wizard of Oz and its famous 1939 film adaptation. Magical oversight may exist in both but the former points to it more severely. She literally steals Ariels voice, turns herself into a beautiful woman named Vanessa, tries to steal Prince Eric, and then epically battles Ariels dad King Triton in *The Little Mermaid. When Bewitched's housewife and witch (housewitch?) Unlike the Sanderson Sisters, the Halliwell girls of Charmed fame use their powers for good. Merlin - Top 10 Most Beloved Wizards - TIME In the 874 years since then, the story of Merlin's life has changed with each telling. A part of us hoped that the crazy Death Eater would last until the end. Wizards and witches have been featured in many cultures around the world for centuries. exist as a menacing force, even if theyre not remotely the only villains in that particular play. Similar to Lord Voldermort, the White Witch is one scary mofo. Shes as good as they come, leading the way for Dorothy to make it back home and even gain some wisdom along the way. but creating a coven without even knowing it is pretty cool, too. Though not as magically skilled as Harry or Hermoine, Rons bravery and loyalty proved to be indispensable. Publishers and childrens writers took notice. They are shrouded in secrecy, living among non-magical beings. Jack-of-all-Trades and the class most likely to talk trash. Real gentlemen know quality when they see it. We have selected the top wizards and witches across film, television, video games, comics, and books and ranked them according to powers + power in pop culture. Diana Meade (Shelley Hennig), The Secret Circle, 76. Even, Whether theyre tangentially connected to the witch trials or overtly, both have an overlapping trait: there were witches in Salem. In fact, these TV and movie witches may take you by surprise, because many of them totally defy old-school stereotypes and show that the preconceived notion of a witch is all wrong. He is played wonderfully by the late, great David Bowie in his greatest movie performance. Sometimes, they fully embrace said reputation. When that failed to kill him, he was shot in the chest twice, but still managed to survive. Samantha Stephens (Nicole Kidman), Bewitched. Probably the most famous wizard in all of popular cultureyes, even eclipsing Harry PotterMerlin's greatest feat was helping Arthur Pendragon find a very nice sword (Excalibur) and an even nicer cup (the Holy Grail). In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry competes in the world-famous Triwizard Tournament. Merlin (Karl Swenson), The Sword in the Stone. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Sam Cooke. WE MAY GET PAID IF YOU BUY SOMETHING OR TAKE AN ACTION AFTER CLICKING ONE OF THESE. Nicol Williamson in Excalibur (1981) Probably the most famous wizard in all of popular cultureyes, even eclipsing Harry Potter Merlin's greatest feat was helping Arthur Pendragon find a. Gandalf. This inquisitive little guy is one of the most enduring children's book characters of all time; the first Curious George story was penned by Hans and Margret . Bill Hader Barry Berkman / Barry Block. In our opinion, Ursula is Disneys most iconic witch. But witchcraft wasnt the only evil the books were accused of peddling. Its true that Rowlings prose is best described as workmanlike and competent; if the reason you read is solely to enjoy perfectly balanced and polished sentences, you may be best served elsewhere. Harry Potter made it inescapable. Take a mental break with the newest Vox crossword, Sign up for the As, of course, their house is full of strange happenings. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. She really loves the cold and brings about the Hundred Year Winter in C. S. Lewiss classic The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. 27. Plus, youve gotta love those cheekbones. You Know Whos name became frightening to the wizarding world and to readers for a reason: whether on the page or on screen, Voldemort is one of the most fearsome wizards of all time. And then, of course, there are the strictly magical communities. 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). As a member of the University of Michigan theater troupe Starkid, a young Darren Criss starred as Harry Potter in the viral YouTube video A Very Potter Musical, and his popularity catapulted him into the role of Blaine on Glee and a career on Broadway. Explaining the Classes With Pop-Culture Characters 5e : r/DnD - Reddit The fear of witchcraft persists all over the world; not just 17th century New England. Richard Harris/Michael Gambon/Jude Law in the Harry Potter saga (2001present). Magical education is largely divided into two camps: learning at home or at formal magical educational institutions. The illusionist has been practicing magic for 50 years and is up there with Harry Houdini as the most successful and well-known magician in the world. Shes the most gifted witch of her generation, but more importantly, she manages to keep Harry and Ron alive for seven years. It was a true tragedy when she lost her powers, but we hope shell regain that magic before the series ends. Iam Tongi Delivers Soulful Sam Cooke Cover on 'American Idol' - Billboard A magical slip-up here and there. (Spoiler alert: It never works!). A magical slip-up here and there. But the one witch who has scared more kids than even the Disney villains, is Margaret Hamilton's Wicked Witch of the West, from the 1939 big screen . Theres, of course, the Bible, and then. By submitting your email, you agree to our, The secret delegate battle that will decide the 2024 Republican nominee, The Dark Brandonmeme and why the Biden campaign has embraced it explained. Here is a fun one to finish things off. Morgana Pendragon (Katie McGrath), Merlin. In fact, among the broad depictions of witches over the latter half of the 20th century and into the 21st, there are a handful of characteristics and tropes that encapsulate them all. 48. New D&D Players: Use These Pop Culture Wizards for Character So at the center of this story about an Italian nobleman, The Little Mermaid | Pat Carroll in The Little Mermaid (1989) An all-singing, all-dancing, all-evil, underwater witch for the ages. Freya Beauchamp (Jenna Dewan Tatum), Witches of East End, 86. Before Liam Neeson developed a particular set of skills, he helped develop one of Star Wars wisest Jedi, and one of its most feared foes. What made all of this possible the industries transformed, the careers built are the books themselves, and the expansive, wondrous world they created. would put her toward the top of any list when it comes to powerful beings. Dont let Wanda Maximoff near your mind you might never get her out. In Harry Potter, most witches and wizards live among non-magical folks. Hermione is arguably the most brilliant witch on this list. Special mention must be made of Ralph Fiennes portrayal of him in the films. We accept credit card, Apple Pay, and They come in all shapes, sizes, and styles, from the casters of spells in your childhood fairytales to the modern witches next door of American Horror Story: Coven. The secrecy is often more or less an informal arrangement between a coven or magical family. Sorcerers gain new spells by learning to release the magic within. Support our mission and help keep Vox free for all by making a financial contribution to Vox today. ), 11. The news prompted Christian scholars to declare the move nonsense, while queer fans were in turn angry that Rowling had done so little to make the queer subtext of Dumbledores character overt during the time he was actually being written (and alive). The Harry Potter seriesdetails the adventures of young wizard Harry Potter while attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She finds herself in the magical land of Oz, populated by Munchkins and ruled over by two witches and one all-powerful wizard. List of fictional witches - Wikipedia Before Harry Potter, the YA book-to-movie franchise was not a clich. Hulk, Drax, The Bride (Kill Bill) Bard - A story teller or musician using wits, magic, and lore to get out of (or avoid) tight situations. Merlin (Elliot Knight), Once Upon a Time. Which witch gave Dorothy the key to her destiny? Please enter a valid email and try again. Others, like the Cromwells in Halloweentown or Samantha Stephens in Bewitched, make a more concerted, if not wholly successful effort to keep their magical powers under wraps. All rights reserved. Buffys bestie learns shes a witch early on in the series and her powers grow strongly; at one point, she turns to the dark side. Gender in Japanese Popular Culture: Rethinking Masculinities and If only his [SPOILER ALERT] death wasn't so sudden and easily avoidable. The Harry Potter books combine the intricate plotting of a mystery with the sweep and scope of epic fantasy and the intimacy and character development of a classic boarding school narrative. Stevie Wonderamazed the crowd with his second album Innervisionsthat was a major hit. But sometimes the rules are a bit more stringent. What does it mean to be a modern-day good witch in pop culture? But sometimes the rules are a bit more stringent. Most famously L. Frank Baums novel. Queenie (Gabourey Sidibe), AHS: Coven, 51. You can also contribute via. Hungarian Horntail. As such, attempts to stay under the radar are largely imperfect. Next. That counts. Thats why it hurt so much more when she left us all too soon. We cant all come and go by bubble, but LOL some of us can. The creation of Alan Moore, Rick Veitch, Steve Bissette, and John Totleben, Constantine is an occult detective from London. Hulton Archive / Getty. Oheka Castle has been part of numerous moments in pop culture history, so it was a no-brainer to include it on this list. Rachael Lynn Gabriela Kozak-Salmi (born May 26, 1976), better known by her stage name Hecate, is an American-Austrian experimental industrial and breakcore musician currently based in Kuopio, Apollonius of Tyana (Ancient Greek: ; c. 15 c. 100 AD), sometimes also called Apollonios of Tyana, was a Greek Neopythagorean philosopher from the town of Tyana in the Roman, Apuleius (; also called Lucius Apuleius Madaurensis; c. 124 c. 170 AD) was a Latin-language prose writer, Platonist philosopher and rhetorician. Willow Rosenberg (Alyson Hannigan), Buffy. If you havent heard of Dr. Yera wizard, Harry. He succumbs to her treachery and is buried alive in a cave. Tabitha Stephens (Lisa Hartman), Tabitha. By Chris Drew (PhD) / March 8, 2023 Pop culture is short for "popular culture". Its sort of a two-fold conundrum, because it makes sense to use the era as a jumping off point but it also overlooks the victims, killed by fear mongering puritans presiding over sham trials. She led the ladies of American Horror Story: Coven with style and serious attitude. It turns out Buffy the Vampire Slayers best friend is a witch. 5. The former is a magical secondary school, whereas the latter is more of a grad school for magicians (a.k.a. Weaving the real-world events into a fictional narrative certainly adds context and depicting the superstitions and fears of witchcraft in history is necessary. Louisa Miller (Robyn Lively), Teen Witch. A spin on the ideal 1960s housewife, Samantha tried to trade her powers for a quiet life at home but the twitchy nose wants what it wants. In the early 2000s, Harry Potter fan forums, fanfiction and fan art archives, and email discussion groups exploded across the internet. Hilda Spellman (Caroline Rhea) and Zelda Spellman (Beth Broderick), Sabrina: The Teenage Witch. She was repulsive even before you consider Nintendo 64s graphics standards of 1998. It arranged for Harry Potter to be displayed on the front tables at bookstores, and for ads to appear in the right newspapers and magazines. The former is a magical secondary school, whereas the latter is more of a grad school for magicians (a.k.a. RELATED: 17 Surprisingly Scary Kids Movie Moments, 50. 1. The Horntail was one of the scariest dragons in the franchise. He was a Numidian who lived under the Roman Empire. Likewise, while eventually introducing a magical school, mostly used the after school lessons method to teach magic. Get the latest Stanley tumbler in the new Orchid color: Stanley Soft Matte Quencher H2.0 Flowstate 40-ounce tumbler, $50. (You totally tried it right now, didnt you? Daniel Radcliffe scored the coveted role of Harry, helping make the films a massive success and spawning several spinoff movies and books. Granted, the former Tom Riddle had a devil of a time killing just one little boyapparently, love is Voldermort's kryptonitebut he also engineered the death of Dumbledore, the dismantling of Hogwarts, and the destruction of many a Death Eater's soul. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. The evil woman in the movie The Witch basically ruins Thomasin and her familys life by stealing their baby and enchanting their young son.