The Triwizard Tournament is the background against which Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire occurs. It's a fierce and ruthless competition between the three most prominent European wizarding schools, and its purpose is to test the magical ability, intelligence, creativity, courage, and overall skill of a student champion from each school.
Of course, the wizards and witches of Harry Potter aren't the only ones in fiction. Many other fictional sorcerers match and event outrank Harry Potter in terms of raw power, but which ones have the magical strength and the cunning to endure and overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of the Triwizard Cup?
Jafar (Aladdin)
The primary antagonist of 1992's Aladdin, Jafar is a sorcerer of considerable power with one of the best evil laughs of any animated Disney villain. He's sneaky and clever, an expert in manipulation who receives extra help from his magical cane. Jafar prefers sabotage rather than confrontation, making him an unpredictable enemy.
Still, for all his gifts, Jafar wouldn't fare well in the Triwizard Tournament's most aggressive challenges. The dragon would probably kill him, and even if he somehow managed to sneak his way out of that pit, the underwater challenge would be his demise.
Sarah Bailey (The Craft)
The 1996 supernatural teen film The Craft is nowadays considered a classic. It follows a group of four outcast teenage girls who form a coven in pursuit of personal gain, only to suffer the dangerous consequences of their reckless actions.
The film's protagonist, Sarah, is the only natural-born witch of the coven and thus possesses considerable magical abilities. Sarah ends the movie with even more power, thanks to Manon, the story's main deity. However, she's still inexperienced and untrained in her abilities, and the Triwizard Tournament requires more than just raw talent. Sarah wouldn't make it past the first task.
Melisandre (Game Of Thrones)
The Red Woman had plenty of tricks up her sleeve. Melisandre was a crucial player in the game and the de facto protagonist of one of Game of Thrones' best side storylines. She was the show's most prominent representative of the realm's magic, an expert manipulator who could bend Kings to her will.
Still, Melisandre's powers were somewhat limited. Her abilities seemed more suitable for long-term plans and machinations but fairly useless in battle. Melisandre would probably perish during the first task because there's a considerable degree of athleticism involved, and she didn't seem like the most active of women.
The White Witch (The Chronicles Of Narnia)
The White Witch is the terrifying antagonist of C. S. Lewis' first entry in his Chronicles of Naria series: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Also known as Jadis, she is a witch of tremendous power who froze Narnia during the Hundred Year Winter.
Jadis is capable of tremendous magical feats. She would have little to no trouble dealing with the dragon and probably slaughter the merpeople, not because she worried about the hostage but because she enjoyed the carnage. The White Witch's downfall would come during the last task, as she would find it hard to face the combined might of the sorcerers in the maze.
Zatanna (Young Justice)
Annataz, emoc ot eht egats! Zatanna Zatara is one of the most powerful characters in Young Justice, a clever magician and one of the most valuable members of the Justice League. Zatanna is capable of wonderful magical feats, so long as she pronounces the words backward.
Zatanna would put on a show for the crowd during the fight against the dragon and cast a simple spell to recover the hostage from the merpeople. The maze task would have her fight against some of the mightiest wizards in the business, and while her abilities are considerable, their combined might and the dangers of the maze itself would eventually get the best of her.
Merlin (Merlin)
Kind, slightly clumsy but always ready to help in any way he can, Merlin would be the most heroic sorcerer in the tournament. The young version of the wizard from Arthurian legend, who starred in the BBC's Merlin, would quickly become the competition's underdog.
Needless to say, Merlin was the most powerful character in Merlin, displaying massive feats of magic, including striking down an entire army. Merlin has enough power to claim the Triwizard Cup, but he lacks the killer instinct necessary to eliminate the other competitors and claim victory. Like Harry, Merlin would try to help his fellow wizards, only to find some of them aren't as kind as he is.
Yennefer Of Vengerberg (The Witcher)
Yennefer of Verngerberg is one of the most intelligent characters in The Witcher. She's also a witch of massive ability, capable of dealing with the powerful but chaotic fire magic. However, what truly makes Yennefer a formidable opponent is her cunning and desire to win above all other things. Yennefer will do everything in her hands to get what's hers, and during the Triwizard Tournament, that would include the Triwizard Cup.
On top of her magical might, Yennefer is also a master of intrigue. She would sow discord among the other contestants and use their separation in her favor. The maze would be her ultimate test, but she would ultimately fall short of claiming final victory, considering the last foes she'd have to face.
Doctor Strange (Marvel Cinematic Universe)
The Sorcerer Supreme is a hero who walks a fine light between light and dark. In fact, Doctor Strange has been an outright villain in Marvel Comics on several occasions. The MCU likes to showcase his egotistical nature but has kept him firmly on the side of good for the most part.
Strange's powers are considerable, and his control of the mirror dimension gives him an edge. Even if a clever opponent with sufficient knowledge of geometry could easily overpower him, apparently. Strange also has enough grey morals to do what was necessary to win. He could easily claim victory if it weren't for the last two sorcerers on the maze.
Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty)
Now shall they deal with her and all the powers of hell! Maleficent, the main antagonist of the 1959 animated classic Sleeping Beauty, is a witch unlike any other. Indeed, the Mistress of Evil would make the Triwizard Tournament her playfield.
Maleficent would turn into a dragon to fight the first task's dragon and drain the lake during the second task to rescue whomever the merpeople took as a hostage (probably her raven, to be honest). In the maze, Maleficent would take down her opponents one by one until only one stood in her way. She could honestly win it all, but evil dies, and good endures, so victory will always elude her.
Gandalf (The Lord Of The Rings)
In the pantheon of great sorcerers of film and television, few hold a candle to Gandalf, the leader and mentor of the Fellowship of the Ring. He begins the Lord of the Rings trilogy as Gandalf the Grey before dying and returning to Middle-earth as the even more powerful Gandalf the White.
Gandalf is an immortal spirit with a great affinity for fire. He also holds one of the Three Rings: Narya, the Ring of Fire. The other contestants would quickly understand the extent of his power. Try as they may, they wouldn't be able to break him. They would put up quite a fight, but Gandalf would still prevail in the end.