Summary
- Powerful wizards have been a staple in fiction for centuries, appearing in movies, animated shows, and classic literature.
- Not all wizards in movies are equally powerful, with some being masters of magic while others are merely learning.
- Movie franchises like Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe have showcased memorable and popular wizards and witches.
The most powerful wizards in fiction go back centuries, with Merlin as a prized member of King Arthur's court introduced as early as the 12th century. In movies, there have also been wizards for almost as long as there have been movies. From false wizards in The Wizard of Oz to powerful sorcerers in The Lord of the Rings, adding a bit of magic to a movie has always been a strong selling point. Even animated shows have bought in on it, with cartoons like Adventure Time and even as far back as magic users in Disney's classic animated releases creating memorable characters.
In recent years, both epic fantasy and urban fantasy have increased in popularity and great and powerful wizards have become both commonplace and important in all aspects of fantasy storytelling. Movie franchises like The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and even Star Wars and the Marvel Cinematic Universe have presented wizards and witches who remain among the most memorable and popular characters in movie history. With that said, not all the wizards introduced in movies are as powerful as others, and there is a clear separation from the masters of magic to the child wizards trying to learn their way in the world.
The 55 Best Movies Of All Time
Screen Rant breaks down the best movies of all time, from old classics to modern masterpieces across multiple genres of cinema.10 Harry Potter
From The Harry Potter Franchise
An unquestionable hero of the Wizarding World, Harry Potter defeated the most powerful dark wizard the world has seen in generations, all before graduating from high school. Harry was fearless in the face of adversity, and even when facing death, he was determined to do what was right at all costs. With Harry's bravery also comes a petulant impulsivity that often leads to him jumping to conclusions or being easily manipulated by his enemies, which gets several of his allies killed over time. Harry was a talented wizard, but many of his peers were considerably more talented in the magical arena, and Harry had to rely more on bravado than actual skill.
9 Geralt Of Rivia
From The Witcher Netflix Series
The Witcher is one of the most successful shows on Netflix, and with good reason. From Sapkowski's books to video games, Geralt of Rivia is a force to be reckoned with. Using a combination of his inherent mutant abilities such as strength and endurance, along with specially formulated Witcher potions and signs such as Aard and Igni, Geralt is a fearsome foe. There is some debate on whether Geralt is truly considered a wizard, as the world he inhabits is full of sorcerers with far different abilities. Regardless of title, Geralt fights for what is right, even when it goes against the code he was raised to follow, and his moral compass is a strength many wizards lack.
8 Palpatine
From The Star Wars Franchise
The Dark Lord of the Sith Empire was a manipulative entity on the Dark Side, with no regard for life. His ability to use Force lightning, as well as telekinesis, makes him a difficult foe. However, he can get into the head of his opponents which is perhaps his greatest strength. Like Geralt, there is a question of whether Palpatine should count, as he is not so much a wizard as he is a Sith Lord. There is a bit more room for debate here, as wizards don't exist in the Star Wars franchise, beyond the Jedi and their ability to use the Force, which Palpatine is fully capable of doing. Either way, he makes a powerful foe, and his powers are fantastically magical.
7 Lord Voldemort
From The Harry Potter Franchise
The most feared dark wizard since Grindelwald, Lord Voldemort is determined to make himself the most powerful wizard ever known. One of the most intimidating aspects of Lord Voldemort is his ease at using unforgivable curses and darker magic, including slicing his soul into several Horcruxes. By the time Lord Voldemort and Harry Potter have their final confrontation, Lord Voldemort's primary weakness is his obsessive ambition. His ruthless cruelty to everyone, including those who have allied themselves with him, makes it far more likely that he will be betrayed, a fact which he is unable to see until it is far too late.
6 Severus Snape
From The Harry Potter Franchise
Considered one of the greatest Slytherin characters in the Harry Potter franchise - though not for reasons one may suspect - Severus Snape is a terrifying force with potions and a fierce wizard in his own right. Snape's mastery of occlumency makes his mind impervious to intrusion, which proves to be a powerful aid. Snape is smart, and he knows it, with an arrogance that occasionally makes him unable to see situations clearly. His childhood often frames his perspective, which impacts his ability to truly gain the power and skill he so deeply craves. Despite that, Snape's ability with potions makes him a quiet danger to any enemy he may make.
5 Saruman
From Lord Of The Rings
In The Lord of the Rings, Saruman was the first wizard on Middle Earth and the leader of the White Council. At his peak, Saruman was the most powerful wizard on Middle Earth, though his magical abilities were second to his persuasive ones. Using a cunning intellect, Saruman could talk almost anyone into almost anything. Unfortunately, Saruman's study of the Rings of Power led him away from good in an attempt to possess the One Ring. His arrogance would ultimately be his downfall, as he believed himself to be above defeat. Even after losing most of his power, his skill with rhetoric remained, making him a skillful threat to those who would cross him.
4 Merlin
From The World Of King Arthur
As a teacher, mentor, and friend to King Arthur, Merlin is one of the most well-known wizards in all fiction. Merlin's actions and decisions alter the course of Arthur's rule as well as that of Camelot. Merlon's greatest strength may be his wisdom and patience, as he works to bring balance to the world. Merlin's father was an incubus, which is where he inherited his magical abilities, which are varied, but powerful. Merlin uses his gift for prophecy to manipulate future events, and he is also able to shape-shift, making him difficult to pin down. Despite being generally genial, Merlin's knowledge paired with his magic skills made him an intimidating force.
3 Albus Dumbledore
From The Harry Potter Franchise
Powerful, protective, and often short-sighted in his view of other people's abilities to handle truths and conflicts, Albus Dumbledore was an enigma right to the very end. Having lived to be more than 100 years old, Dumbledore acquired knowledge of magic to rival anyone in the Wizarding World, and he put that knowledge to good use in practical application. One of Dumbledore's biggest strengths is the ability to inspire loyalty in almost anyone who has the chance to know him. His fierce determination to protect his students and the magical community at large drove him to become the most powerful wizard possible, making him a mighty foe for anyone who chooses evil over good.
2 Doctor Strange
From The Marvel Cinematic Universe
Doctor Strange is the only wizard with the ability to enter and manipulate multiple universes, which automatically makes him one of the most powerful. His high intelligence allows him to learn and implement new spells with surprising quickness, which, when paired with his ability to see into the future using the time stone, makes him nearly unstoppable. His unlimited power can have serious consequences, however, as seen by his many variants in The Multiverse of Madness. Doctor Strange was arrogant before he became an all-powerful master of the mystic arts, which makes him a bit of a wild card. His unpredictability makes him nearly impossible to defeat.
1 Gandalf
From Lord Of The Rings
Largely considered to be the strongest wizard in the Lord of the Rings movies, Gandalf's skill with languages helps to make up for his lack of power while he was Gandalf the Grey. When he returned to Middle Earth after defeating the Balrog, he did so as Gandalf the White and possessed considerably greater powers than he had before. Gandalf has an almost encyclopedic knowledge of spells, which range greatly in use and power. His voice is also a powerful weapon, though through force, rather than persuasion, which his allies and foes alike find to be considerably more frightening. From using white fire to telekinesis, Gandalf's vast abilities make him by far the most powerful wizard to date.