Created by Todd J. Greenwald, this live-action fantasy teen sitcom from the Disney Channel aired for four seasons from October 2007 to January 2012 and launched lead actress Selena Gomez into global superstardom.
Set in Greenwich Village, New York City, the series revolved around the Russo family, who owned a subterranean sandwich shop called the Waverly Sub Station.
The three Russo children were secretly wizards-in-training, being trained in the art of magic by their father, Jerry (David DeLuise), who surrendered his own powers to marry their mortal mother, Theresa (Maria Canals-Barrera).
When the siblings completed their training, they would be required to face off in a mandatory Family Wizard Competition, with only the victor able to keep their magical abilities forever, while the other two would lose their gift of magic and become totally mortal.
The main protagonist was the middle child, Alex Russo (Gomez), a rebellious, sarcastic, and fiercely independent slacker who frequently used magic to cut corners, resulting in chaotic consequences.
Her oldest brother. Justin (David Henrie) was an overachieving, highly intellectual, and disciplined wizard who closely followed the rules, serving as Alex’s perfect foil.
Youngest brother Max (Jake T Austin) was dim-witted but lovable, often coming up with bizarre ideas or accidentally complicating his siblings’ schemes.
Alex’s eccentric but loyal best friend was Harper Finkle (Jennifer Stone), who wore bizarre, handmade clothing. She eventually learned the family’s magical secret.
As the show progressed, its universe expanded significantly to include classic supernatural creatures like vampires – such as Justin’s girlfriend Juliet (Bridgit Mendler) – and werewolves – including Alex’s boyfriend Mason Greyback (Gregg Sulkin).
The final episode featured the family wizard competition, which Alex ultimately won, but the headmaster of Wiz-Tech, Professor Crumbs (Ian Abercrombie in his final role), was so impressed by Justin’s honesty and integrity that he retired and passed his position on to Justin, allowing him to keep his magical powers.
The Wizards of Waverly Place displayed more than a passing nod to the Harry Potter franchise, which clearly inspired it.
The wizard school Wiz-Tech is, for all intents and purposes, Hogwarts, with Professor Crumbs as Dumbledore; the Family Wizard Competition plays out similarly to the Triwizard Tournament as seen in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and the Russo trio save friends that have been taken hostage, just like the competitors in Goblet of Fire when they had to free their friends from the mermaids.
At the height of the show’s popularity, Disney released a television film, Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie, which won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Children’s Program.
The franchise returned in 2024 with a follow-up sequel series, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, which focused on an adult Justin Russo training a new generation of young wizards.
Alex Russo
Selena Gomez Justin Russo
David Henrie Max Russo
Jake T. Austin Harper Finkle
Jennifer Stone Theresa Russo
Maria Canals-Barrera Jerry Russo
David DeLuise Zeke Beakerman
Dan Benson Mr Laritate
Bill Chott Mason Greyback
Gregg Sulkin Juliet Van Heusen
Bridgit Mendler Professor Crumbs
Ian Abercrombie
The main protagonist was the middle child, Alex Russo (Gomez), a rebellious, sarcastic, and fiercely independent slacker who frequently used magic to cut corners, resulting in chaotic consequences.
