Boy-crazy Sarah might not be the smartest witch of her age, but her seduction skills (and that voice!) Gandalf (Ian McKellen), Lord of the Rings. Author J.K. Rowling was an unknown single mom when she first got the idea for her story while stuck on a train; the small UK childrens press that ultimately took a chance on it undoubtedly couldnt have predicted that it would have a measurable effect on everything it touched. COPYRIGHT 2023 Next Luxury ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 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. And when it looks like the valiant prince might come to her rescue? A number of Harry Potter fans also went on to make significant marks on mainstream culture. According to his Chocolate Frog card, Albus Dumbledore - Hogwarts Headmaster and Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, among other accolades - is 'the greatest wizard of modern times'. Merlins demise comes about after he falls in love with the Lady of the Lake. 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. Merlin (Elliot Knight), Once Upon a Time. Not only could she steal beautiful voices, but Ursula could change form at will andafter stealing Triton's helm and tridenthave mastery over the seas as well. Unforatunelty for old noseless, Harry takes his revenge and dispatches him in the final book. Some people might think their grandmas are witches, but Marnies actually is one and a cool, caring one at that. Cedric the Sensational (Jess Harnell), Sofia the First, 83. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. In, , those with magical powers attend an actual school. Alexandra Medford (Cher), The Witches of Eastwick. 78. But the tale of Merlin's role as royal adviser to King Arthur and his father Uther Pendragon remains the most memorable. Ian McKellen in the Lord of the Rings trilogy (200103) and The Hobbit trilogy (201214). Willow Rosenberg (Alyson Hannigan), Buffy. The $105,000 sale granted Harry Potter two things: a built-in publicity hook, and a big budget. The one where EW follows up with the cast. Mary Sanderson (Kathy Najimy), Hocus Pocus. 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. Oops. In most depictions of modern witchcraft, good witches live in our midst with their true powers (mostly) hidden. Best witch ever? Of course youd try to become popular, just as Louise does. The creation of Alan Moore, Rick Veitch, Steve Bissette, and John Totleben, Constantine is an occult detective from London. Sure these modern pop culture witches are fictional, but normalizing the idea of the good witch in a variety of mediumsin TV shows, movies, booksdirectly combats centuries of stigma against witchcraft and mysticism. In. Qui-gon Jinn (Liam Neeson), Star Wars. The depiction of good witches in the media often pushes against the centuries-long view of witchcraft as a sinister, evil practice. And Harry Potter fans creativity is still being felt in and outside of the fandom. 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. Everygirl Sabrina Spellmans life was a generous helping of teenage wish fulfillment (who wouldnt want to change outfits and humiliate her high school rivals with a swish of a finger? Heres a look back at the way Harry Potter changed and influenced online fandom, millennial culture, and the publishing industry. 7. * She also taught us all the importance of water. Take one bettor fond of early 2000s romantic comedies. We're calling the roster of the most powerful pop culture mages for the agesincluding Dumbledore, Gandalf, and Willow. Albus Dumbledore (Richard Harris/Michael Gambon), Harry Potter. Get the latest Stanley tumbler in the new Orchid color: Stanley Soft Matte Quencher H2.0 Flowstate 40-ounce tumbler, $50. On-screen he is first played by Richard Harris, but after he passed, the great Michael Gambon took over. For some critics, thats a worrisome development, suggesting that adults are too dull and stupid to appreciate books actually written for adults. It was a true tragedy when she lost her powers, but we hope shell regain that magic before the series ends. The former is a magical secondary school, whereas the latter is more of a grad school for magicians (a.k.a. Justin Russo (David Henrie), Wizards of Waverly Place, 93. You barely even saw him, and he instilled everyone with a knee-knocking sense of dread. For a little while, anyway. That theyre a family of witches is not generally public knowledge in Greendale. , it appears most of their magical training is from their aunts over the course of their childhood. It lends an ounce of retroactive credibility to the witch hunters. The Wicked Witch of the West (Margaret Hamilton), The Wizard of Oz. NEXTLUXURYDOTCOM LLC IS A PARTICIPANT IN THE AMAZON SERVICES LLC ASSOCIATES PROGRAM, AN AFFILIATE ADVERTISING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A MEANS FOR SITES TO EARN ADVERTISING FEES BY ADVERTISING AND LINKING TO AMAZON.COM. He is played wonderfully by the late, great David Bowie in his greatest movie performance. Sales were falling. First and foremost, the series helped make it cool to be a geek. NEXT: Witches and wizards 24 1[pagebreak], 24. Henry Winkler Gene Cousineau. People are supposed to love to hate witches, not hate to hate them or mobbing to burn her at the stake. Still, it was up through the turn of the 20th century where the first major rumblings of non-threateningor outright good witchesappeared in media and literature. Whatever you want to call them, all of these characters and famous people can be defined as wizards. Part of what made Harry Potter such a literary phenomenon is that so many kids were reading the books despite an unprecedented number of attempts to get them to stop reading the books. With both the New York Knicks and the Sacramento Kings in the playoffs, they recalled how a Knicks-Kings NBA Finals game was a huge scene . A magical slip-up here and there. Speaking of teenage witches the iconic Sabrina Spellman needs no introduction. And thus, witches attempting to live incognito as regular humans are usually deemed eccentric by their communities. RELATED: 15 Scary Movies We Saw as Kids That Still Haunt Our Nightmares. Then, of course, there were the mythological sorceresses, including Circe, Hecate, and Morgan le Fay, who while not initially presented as evil in some cases, generally saw their stories descend into tales of duplicitousness and cruelty. Ill get you, my pretty, and your little dog too! The woman formerly known as Elphaba (if youre going by *Wicked, * anyway) terrified soooo many children in *The Wizard of Oz. Unlike Stannis, we dont expect The Red Woman to go down too easily. Looks can be deceiving, and the seemingly frail puppet master pulling the Sith strings is not to be trifled with. All rights reserved. Cassie Blake (Britt Robertson), The Secret Circle. But between Harry Potter, the Lord of the Rings film adaptations, and the emerging visibility of online Harry Potter fandom, it was increasingly difficult to ignore fantasy and science fiction as a driving force of culture, and to write off fans of these genres as niche. These are the most famous wizards who have indebted history. Mary Sibley (Janet Montgomery), Salem, 91. But still, in the Netflix seriesthough slightly less so in 90s sitcomthere are plenty of humans in on the secret. Given the secrecy surrounding witches existence, its a given that education is a vital element. But he wears his fame lightly. Still, it was up through the turn of the 20th century where the first major rumblings of non-threateningor outright good witchesappeared in media and literature. Sam Cooke. (Not quite, but close. Even, Whether theyre tangentially connected to the witch trials or overtly, both have an overlapping trait: there were witches in Salem. Comic book character Dr Stephen Strange has become much more well-known since Benedict Cumberbatch played him in the recent Marvel movies. She almost brings about Buffys demise but is saved and embarks on a redemptive arc in the series. An all-powerful sorcerer, Constantine rarely uses his powers, preferring to let his wit and intelligence get him out of sticky situations. We just saw what she may have done, which was way, way freakier. 6. 55. Fiona Goode (Jessica Lange), AHS: Coven, 23. 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. Then, of course, there were the mythological sorceresses, including Circe, Hecate, and Morgan le Fay, who while not initially presented as evil in some cases, generally saw their stories descend into tales of duplicitousness and cruelty. 17. Piper Halliwell (Holly Marie Combs), Charmed. 37. 97. But Harry Potter changed the world. The secrecy is often more or less an informal arrangement between a coven or magical family. Roxie Torcoletti (Rebecca Romijn), Eastwick. Special mention must be made of Ralph Fiennes portrayal of him in the films. Tweet; Prev. It also makes their eventual death (for some) and trauma (for all) deeply affecting. As, of course, their house is full of strange happenings. Can you imagine learning youre a witch in high school? 1. Theres, of course, the Bible, and then. And thus, witches attempting to live incognito as regular humans are usually deemed eccentric by their communities. Its telling that Salem specifically lies at the root of so many pop culture witches. In 2004, in the midst of the Harry Potter phenomenon, sales of non-Potter kid lit were increasing by 2 percent a year. 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. Sabrina Spellman (Melissa Joan Hart), Sabrina: The Teenage Witch. The White Witch rules with an iron fist, turning those who oppose her into stone. Making a splash: A deep dive into the live-action Little Mermaid with a new generation's Ariel. In both the. Morgana Pendragon (Katie McGrath), Merlin. She led the ladies of American Horror Story: Coven with style and serious attitude. This list contains popular wizards like Dumbledore, Gandalfand Merlin. Freya Beauchamp (Jenna Dewan Tatum), Witches of East End, 86. He was a Numidian who lived under the Roman Empire. Oh, Tia Dalma is actually the super-powerful Calypso, the sea goddess, which you find out in the end. Harry Potter made it inescapable. Even in his declining years, the headmaster of Hogwarts was a formidable magebut in his youth, full of vigor and brio, Albus Dumbledore was a force to be reckoned with. With Genie's power at his disposal, Jafar took his place among the most powerful wizards in pop culture. 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). Louisa Miller (Robyn Lively), Teen Witch. Airs: Sunday, May 14 2023 at 10:00pm on HBO TV-MA . With their golden locks entangling the audience in their magic, Led Zeppelin was the face of rock music in the 70s. Davina Claire (Danielle Campbell), The Originals, 68. RELATED: 20 Celebs Who Starred in Horror Movies Before They Made it Big, 40. How to Break the Curse That's Been Plaguing You, Have You Been Cursed? Harry Houdini as the most successful and well-known, 14 Oldest Living Celebrities That Are Still Alive, 15 of the Most Disturbing Books Ever Written. Shop the Absolute Best Prom Shoes of the Season, Unique College Graduation Gifts Worthy of the Milestone. But he has one weakness; women. Harry Potter did fine when it first emerged in the UK 20 years ago, winning a Smarties Award and garnering respectable sales for its publisher, Bloomsbury. 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. The Outsiders reinvented young adult fiction. Each week, we explore unique solutions to some of the world's biggest problems. 27. Gandalf the Grey, Dr Strange, and Voldermort are just some of the fictional wizards to make an impact. Already more powerful than most as a baby, The Boy Who Lived continued to cheat death year after year. Cordelia Foxx (Sarah Paulson), AHS: Coven, 43. Shes basically the patron saint for bookish, motivated girls everywhere, witch or no witch. That budget is structured so that elevating the numbers in one category means elevating the numbers in the next category: If youre going to invest $105,000 just in acquiring a book, youre also going to pour extra money into marketing, publicity, and production, so that you have a reasonable chance of making that money back. A list of famous wizards, both legendary and real wizards, mystics, and occultists. 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. WE MAY GET PAID IF YOU BUY SOMETHING OR TAKE AN ACTION AFTER CLICKING ONE OF THESE. Merlin 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. Something went wrong. Hilda Spellman (Caroline Rhea) and Zelda Spellman (Beth Broderick), Sabrina: The Teenage Witch. They appear in fiction stories told in books and movies. Their ancestorsor in some cases, their younger selvesmade their homes in Salem, their families fleeing during the trials. In recent years, Rowling has provoked controversy for her series lack of diversity, for denying queer sexuality of characters, and many, many more kerfuffles. Take a mental break with the newest Vox crossword, Sign up for the In 2005, students at Vermonts Middlebury college created the first real-life Quidditch game, which went on to spawn an international real-world college sport. Dahlia (Claudia Black), The Originals, Using powers to stay youthful is just smart, 72. 77. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. 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. Halle Bailey, Melissa McCarthy, and director Rob Marshall share the tale behind making their underwater musical with a groundbreaking Disney princess. Angelique Bouchard (Lara Parker), Dark Shadows. Grams didnt like to show off, but when her magic was needed, she did what she had to do. Thomas Edison didn't technically have supernatural powers, but he didn't earn the nickname "the Wizard of Menlo Park" for nothing. 5. 38. Vote up the best wizard characters from film, TV, and more! plays the mythical wizard in a commanding performance that is the definitive version of the character. SOME LINKS MAY BE AFFILIATE LINKS. The hook came from the press: Newspapers featured articles about the little English book that had garnered such a huge sale. Is Cher as a witch that much different from Cher every day? 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. 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. It lends an ounce of retroactive credibility to the witch hunters. Arguably the most famous wizard on this list comes from the mind of author JK Rowling. 98. James Hong in Big Trouble in Little China (1986). Harry Potter conventions drew thousands of fans, and Harry Potter cosplay became a well-known sight at larger geek and comic cons. Richard Harris/Michael Gambon/Jude Law in the Harry Potter saga (2001present). Witches are not a homogenous groupthere are so many ways to practice witchcraft. avid Blaine and David Copperfield. Potions and Pop Culture. 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. Jareth made for a most enchanting sorcerer, with a shock of blond hair and some out-of-this-world pipes. And then, of course, there are the strictly magical communities. Winifred, Mary, and Sarah Sanderson were put to death in 1600s Salem, but a little spell brings them back to life on Halloween three centuries later. Merlin uses his powers for good and to help Arthurs kingdom. A former surgeon who is now one of the most powerful wizards in the world, Dr Strange protects the world from mythical threats. Get ready to level up your habits game with "Atomic Habits" by James Clear! 6. Witchcraft is such a diverse study and the practice is intertwined with so many cultures and lore. But seeing witches as forces for goodor, at the very least, incredibly nuanced peoplebetter represents witchcraft as a spiritual way of life. (They rose only 37.37 percent between 1996 and 2006.). Jack-of-all-Trades and the class most likely to talk trash. We accept credit card, Apple Pay, and Although in the Netflix series she does receive a more formalized education after she turns 16 and chooses that path. From Chambers Film Factfinder After quarrelling with her aunt, farm girl Dorothy wishes herself elsewhere, only for a cyclone to grant her wish by sweeping her up and away. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. I smell scrod. Maybe not the right witch power to be as mighty as your sisters, Mary. After Harry Potter, childrens literature became a category full of mega-sellers. Hungarian Horntail. 92. Generates new conversations about gender that move beyond nation. 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. It pushes back on the idea that witchcraft is inherently evil or something to fear. 100% Privacy. Weaving the real-world events into a fictional narrative certainly adds context and depicting the superstitions and fears of witchcraft in history is necessary. , the Spellmans run a funeral home, which is the perfect cover for their spooky, gothic vibe in town. 1. ), topped with just as many consequences. Dont remember much about Dracos wizarding skills, but we do remember him getting punched in the face by Hermoine. Challenges conventional assumptions associated not only with gender but also normativity. 8. She was the star pupil in her classes at Hogwarts and the savvy, level-headed member of the triumvirate that includes Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. For comparison, the overall book market has gone up a mere 33 percent since 2004. Sabrina learned everything from her aunts, who were always more powerful than they let on and inseparable. Dark Willow was on the path to destroying the world before a blast from the past pulled her back from the brink. Never forget: Before she went to Tomorrowland, Britt Robertson was doing semi-dark magic with a group of attractive teens on The CW. Wizards and witches have been featured in many cultures around the world for centuries. The Wizard (Frank Morgan), The Wizard of Oz. As such, attempts to stay under the radar are largely imperfect. And not the foundation for which there is a strict set of rules. Weve compiled a list of the most powerful and well-known wizards throughout history and pop culture that is sure to leave you spellbound. And the list goes on: The author of the bestselling Mortal Instruments series, Cassandra Clare first gained fame online as Cassandra Claire, author of the incredibly popular Harry Potter fanfic The Draco Trilogy. (Why she doesn't magic herself some pants remains a mystery.). Pop culture is often spread through mass media such as television, cinema, radio, and social media. Since then, the childrens market as a whole has seen its sales increase by a total of 52 percent (4 percent a year). As more Harry Potter fans became more active online, they made discussion of YA fiction, fantasy, and science fiction seem commonplace. While tales of his wizardry are often exaggerated, his death remains just as controversial. Furthermore, it consistently puts a white face to the good witch. Aside from the cultural impact, the character itself is admirably resourceful: Mickey uses magic to do his chores for him (which eventually ends in disaster but it was fun while it lasted!). 9. 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. Pure evil. So much so that she covered most of Narnia, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring | The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-2003) How robust a warlock is this, the scourge of Middle-earth? There are still leagues to go in depicting witchcraft in its full diverse practice. This pattern coincided with the rise of Web 2.0 that is, an increasingly interactive and social internet. 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. But there are plenty of reasons for a grown person to enjoy Harry Potter. ), Samanthas mother, Endora, is a little more out-there than her buttoned-up suburban daughter, and shes constantly trying to cause chaos in her daughters marriage to the mortal Darrin. The books proved such a success that they were adapted into a film series. See more about - The 14 Most Famous Monkeys. 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. Jude Law has played the young version of Dumbledore in the Fantastic Beasts series of movies. Antonia Gaviln de Logroo (Paola Turbay), True Blood. Offers may be subject to change without notice. GojiraSoundsUnleashed/Youtube. Opens in new tab Opens in new tab Opens in new tab. So shes got some pretty awesome skills. 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. At first, the GHW appears glamorous, but shes not so pretty underneath her disguise. would put her toward the top of any list when it comes to powerful beings. Sarah Bailey (Robin Tunney), The Craft, 52. Links foe has appeared in many forms over the years, but nearly every iteration of the Hyrulian foe has been a memorable one. How robust a warlock is this, the scourge of Middle-earth? 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. Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. Most early depictions of witches framed them as possessing malevolent energy. 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. 2) Harry Potter made childrens literature an unstoppable force. 67. But several strictly magical communities appear throughout the series, giving just a glimpse of normal magical life. 14. Credit: Lucasfilms Ltd.; Frank Ockenfels/FX; Getty Images, Witches and wizards in pop culture: A definitive ranking. Anjelica Huston also played the Grand High Witch in The Witches, based on the Roald Dahl book of the same name. It was later joined by another totally unique-to-Harry-Potter fan pursuit: Quidditch. 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. It wasnt until a bullet to the head silenced him forever. Most famously L. Frank Baum's novel The Wizard of Oz and its famous 1939 film adaptation. Teen Vogue covers the latest in celebrity news, politics, fashion, beauty, wellness, lifestyle, and entertainment. 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. The Nicole Kidman motion picture version of Samantha Stephens was missing all the magic. Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton), Harry Potter. The first Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone, introduces young readers to Potter and his friendsHermione GrangerandRon Weasley. Tabitha Lenox (Juliet Mills), Passions, 82. Harry Potter made YA book-to-movie franchises into one of the biggest forces in pop culture. 56. Who saved the day more than Hermione? He is a walking contradiction who has a cynical view of the world but does his best to help those in trouble. Whereas the informal training, through magical elders and the like, represents magic as part of a way of life. After all, shes probably brought more people back from the dead than anyone else on this list. She loved Willow completely, was there for Buffy at times when her other friends werent, cared for Dawn like she was her own sister, and was always willing to sacrifice herself for the greater good. actually circumvented this trope by making the accused witch in question actually innocent, reminding viewers of the horrific reality of the trials. The. The Washington Wizards basketball team. In most depictions of modern witchcraft, good witches live in our midst with their true powers (mostly) hidden. Two longtime members of Harry Potter fandom, siblings John and Hank Green now known more widely as the Vlogbrothers got their start on YouTube during the sites relative infancy, but it wasnt until Hank Greens 2007 song Accio Deathly Hallows went viral on the eve of the final Harry Potter books release that they became the true YouTube stars and industry success models they are today. 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. Oh, and the box for the game totally has a different title, which is "Beware the Ultimate . The daughter of Bewitcheds Samantha Stephens received her own spin-off a decade later but it was spectacularly bad and barely worth a mention. Thats why it hurt so much more when she left us all too soon. Entertainment Weekly may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. A father, a sith, and one of the most powerful forces on the dark side, Darth Vaders story has been central to the Star Wars films, and even in death, he looks to be leaving us no time soon. Sound off in the comments, or vote for one of our top 10 picks in the poll below. Shes as good as they come, leading the way for Dorothy to make it back home and even gain some wisdom along the way.
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