If there's one thing that makes Harry Potter so magical, it's the spells. From handy everyday magic to deadly curses, Hogwarts has it all. But which spells are truly iconic? Here are the 10 most memorable, and what makes them special.
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Expelliarmus: The Ultimate Disarming Charm
Meaning: disarms an opponent by blasting their wand away. Why iconic? This is Harry Potter's signature move. Even facing Voldemort, he chooses a defensive spell. Expelliarmus perfectly suits Harry's character: he'd rather win without killing.
Avada Kedavra: The Unforgivable Curse
Meaning: the killing curse. First seen in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Why iconic? This is the spell that makes Voldemort Voldemort. Without Avada Kedavra there would be no Harry Potter story, because this curse killed his parents and should have killed him too.
Meaning: the killing curse.
Wingardium Leviosa: Levitation
Meaning: makes objects float. First seen in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Why iconic? It's the first spell we really see in action in the films. Who doesn't remember Hermione correcting Ron: 'It's Levi-O-sa, not Levio-SA!'?
Cinema at its finest for real.
Expecto Patronum: The Ultimate Protection Spell
Meaning: summons a Patronus to ward off Dementors. First seen in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Why iconic? Dementors are perhaps the scariest creatures in the films, and this is the only way to stop them. Every wizard's Patronus is unique: Harry's stag is perfect, Snape's doe heartbreaking.
Deserves more love without question.
Lumos: Let There Be Light
Meaning: lights the tip of a wand like a flashlight. Why iconic? Not the most spectacular spell, but one of the most useful. How often has Harry lit his wand in dark caves, corridors and forests?
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Nox: Lights Out
Meaning: extinguishes the light of the wand. Why iconic? The counterpart of Lumos. Without Nox, a wizard would walk around forever with a glowing wand, not handy on stealth missions!
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Obliviate: Forget Everything
Meaning: erases the memory of the person it's cast on. Why iconic? It caused one of the most tragic moments in the films: Hermione making her own parents forget they have a daughter, to protect them from Voldemort.
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Sectumsempra: Snape's Deadly Invention
Meaning: slashes the target as if with invisible swords. First seen in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Why iconic? It's not a standard dueling spell but Snape's own creation. When Harry uses it on Draco without knowing what it does, he realizes how dangerous magic can be.
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Imperio: Total Control
Meaning: forces the victim to do whatever the caster wants. First seen in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Why iconic? One of the three Unforgivable Curses, making someone completely will-less. It's used by villains and even heroes: Harry uses it himself in Deathly Hallows.
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Accio: Where Did That Go?!
Meaning: summons an object to the caster. First seen in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Why iconic? Anyone who's ever lost their keys wishes they could shout 'Accio keys!' In the films, Harry uses it epically during the Triwizard Tournament to summon his broom.
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Meaning: disarms an opponent by blasting their wand away.
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