Inspired by Ian McKellen's iconic wizard from The Lord of the Rings, Gandalf memes prove that audiences of Peter Jackson's movies don't always take themselves and the source material too seriously. Indeed, being directly adapted from J. R. R Tolkien's foundational high fantasy novels, Lord of the Rings has undoubtedly attracted audiences who tend to be highly pedantic. However, there are more than enough memes to prove that even those who deeply know Gandalf, also known as Mithrandir, can appreciate the humor behind the character and the lore.
Even the backlash surrounding Prime Video's The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power did nothing to disrupt the flow of Lord of the Rings memes online. Notably, the continuing prevalence of Gandalf memes in particular show how deeply the original trilogy touched audiences. Despite the largely negative reception of Rings of Power, Tolkien's work remains in mainstream audiences' minds through these memes. Some Gandalf memes perfectly sum up the greatest of the Maiar spirits that the Valar sent to Middle-Earth.
10 A Powerful Wizard
Source: Reddit
Gandalf is a Maiar who acquired mortal form after he was sent by Manwë and Varda to Middle Earth to fight against Sauron, and as such, he is a powerful and skillful wizard. Only a few can match him in battle, and one of the counted enemies that could was Saruman.
He held Gandalf captive and gave him the magical beating of a lifetime. However, Gandalf managed to escape the Orthanc, and when he returned as Gandalf the White, he broke Saruman's staff. In one of many Gandalf memes that reimagine the wizard using his immense powers for comedic gold, this meme acknowledges that he could've just as easily turned Saruman's staff into pasketti.
9 An Iconic Staff
Source: Reddit
Gandalf would not be himself without his powerful staff. After all, without it, he would not have been able to say one of the most iconic quotes that prove he is the best wizard in The Lord of the Rings "You shall not pass!" and defeated the Balrog. Most importantly though, Gandalf would not be able to walk properly if it wasn't for the staff that he also uses as a walking stick. It doesn't matter if he is using the wooden one that he lost to Balrog, or the white ash wood staff that he acquired later, Gandalf and his magic weapon are one.
8 Always Makes An Entrance
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It doesn't matter if he is entering the battlefield on his white horse to save riders from the claws of the Nazgûl, or arriving with a full army at the first light of the 5th day at Helm's Deep. Unquestionably, Gandalf always knows how to make an astonishing entrance to save the day. As this Gandalf meme points out, it's almost as if he was at the ready and waiting for the perfect moment for his white robes, hair, staff, and horse to shine the brightest, just to introduce himself into battle in the coolest way. In fact, this moment at Helm's Deep is a running theme among Gandalf memes.
7 The Ultimate Saviour
Source: Reddit
The battle at Helm's Deep gave fans many of the greatest scenes in The Lord Of The Rings movies, and also one of the many occasions where Gandalf saves everyone from their demise. At that moment, he arrived right on time with reinforcements, just like Spongebob with seahorses, but in plenty of other situations, he also had the final move. Gandalf also saved the fellowship from the Balrog, the dwarves from the orcs in Moira, Theoden from Saruman, Pippin against orcs, and Faramir, to name a few. Indeed, Gandalf memes often acknowledge the wizard's role as the ultimate savior of Middle-Earth.
6 A Fierce Warrior
Source: Reddit
Despite being ages old, Gandalf is one of the fiercest and bravest fighters in Middle-Earth - a reputation further cemented by Gandalf memes. When he is not casting a powerful spell with his staff, Gandalf is using it as a shield while slicing enemies with his sword, Glamdring. Countless instances proved Gandalf equally capable as a wizard and warrior. Although he didn't fake his death, it is funny to think that he would do so to gain more XP from the Balrog. Considering that Sauron was around the corner at the time, maybe Gandalf wanted to be prepared by leveling up into Gandalf the White.
5 The Wise
Source: Reddit
As a Maiar, Gandalf possesses a lot of knowledge and wisdom. He knows more than a spell or two, the backstories of most races and creatures, all there is to know about mysticism and lore. As pointed out in countless Gandalf memes, he also has a vast knowledge of languages and writing systems in Middle-Earth, and Elvish languages like Quenya and Sindarin are no exceptions. However, the One Ring's inscriptions are in the Black Speech of Mordor, which he also knows, but there are times when he seems to save his knowledge for when he can best display it, like with Elrond.
4 A Deceiver
Source: Reddit
In one of the many times when the strength of men failed in The Lord Of The Rings, Théoden fell victim to the poison of his chief adviser Gríma and became ill and corrupted. Luckily for him, Gandalf is a good liar when he needs to be, and fooled his guards into thinking that his staff was only a walking stick. Gandalf will do whatever it takes to achieve the greater good, even if that means doing some little mischievousness along the way. This is one of the many Gandalf memes that underscore how the infamous Istari can cleverly manipulate the common folk of Middle-Earth, including some Rohirrim.
3 Constantly Solves Other People's Screw-Ups
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As Middle-Earth's friendly neighborhood wizard, Gandalf is constantly fixing the mistakes of mortals not armed with the wisdom of the ages. This is especially true with one of the funniest and most beloved hobbits of the books and movies, Peregrin Took. When the fellowship entered the deathly mines of Moira, the group was doing its best to be as sneaky as possible to not alert any orcs, trolls, or enemies. However, a certain fool of a Took accidentally and very loudly knocked over a skeleton into a well, resulting in the party getting immediately attacked. Few Gandalf memes capture both Pippin and Gandalf as succinctly as this one.
2 No Tolerance For Stupidity
Source: Reddit
Gandalf has patience for many things, except sheer foolishness. When somebody is not as clever, the powerful wizard becomes quite savage and deserving of Snickers, and nobody knows this better than poor Peregrin Took. More often than not, the clueless Pippin has been found worthy of Gandalf's harshest insults. Gandalf has so little tolerance for foolish acts that he once said to Pippin one of his most savage quotes after he knocked the skeleton into a well in Moira: "Throw yourself in next time and rid us of your stupidity," which was quite hurtful for something Took did by accident. Nonetheless, their relationship has inspired the best Gandalf memes.
1 Trusts Hobbits, especially Baggins
Source: Reddit
Gandalf once said, "Hobbits really are amazing creatures... You can learn all that there is to know about their ways in a month, and yet after a hundred years they can still surprise you at a pinch." His deep love for the halflings has made him trust them with the deadliest of tasks, like destroying the One Ring, or stealing back treasure from the dragon Smaug. Both Frodo and Bilbo have also proved how Gandalf's trust was perfectly placed. Nonetheless, for pointing out how he always finds a way to smile after sending hobbits to their possible deaths, this is one of the best Lord of the Rings Gandalf memes.