15 powerful pop culture wizards

Wizards, witches, sorcerers — whatever you want to call them, these characters make their stories pure magic. Of course, that 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 Albus Dumbledore alongside true villains like Sauron, plus those who are somewhere in between (face it, is Glinda really a "good" witch when you think about it?)

Alas, let's take a look at our favorite wizards and overall magic-makers of pop culture.

MERLIN

Nicol Williamson in Excalibur (1981)

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).

ALBUS DUMBLEDORE

Richard Harris/Michael Gambon/Jude Law in the Harry Potter saga (2001–present)

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.

GANDALF

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

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.

GLINDA THE GOOD WITCH

Billie Burke in The Wizard of Oz (1939)

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.

WILLOW ROSENBERG

Alyson Hannigan on Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)

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.

THE WHITE WITCH

Tilda Swinton in The Chronicles of Narnia (2005–10)

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

SAURON

The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001–03)

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.

VOLDEMORT

Ralph Fiennes in the Harry Potter saga (2005–11)

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.

STEPHEN STRANGE

Marvel Comics (1963–present), Benedict Cumberbatch in the MCU (2016–present)

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.

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.)

JAFAR

Jonathan Freeman in Aladdin (1992)

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.

PROSPERO

The Tempest (1600s)

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.

URSULA

Pat Carroll in The Little Mermaid (1989)

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.

DAVID LO PAN

James Hong in Big Trouble in Little China (1986)

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).

JARETH

David Bowie in Labyrinth (1986)

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.

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