I have been playing Wizard101 off and on since 2009 and I’ve been a devoted player since 2016. One of the things that I enjoy about the game are the many Pop Culture references that the writers have included in the game. When the world of Lemuria was released, I decided to chronicle the many references to the Pulp Heroes of the early 20th century. That fun little project made me wonder if there was a comprehensive list of ALL the pop culture references across the game. In my research I have found a number of such lists but nothing definitive. This article is the first in a series where in I try to identify as many pop culture references as possible.
Please note, this list does not claim to be every reference. I have undoubtedly missed some. I am also not chronicling the many references in Quest Names or Spells. This series will focus on creatures and NPCs. If you know of one I missed, please comment and I will update the list accordingly. If I have missed any please leave a comment and we will add them to our list and give you the credit for finding it.
Darkmoor Castle references are included in this article.
Revision History:
Complete 6/30/2022
3 new articles 8/12/2022
3 new articles 12/7/2022
1 new article 11/13/2024
6 new articles and notes update 6/21/2025
1 new article 8/1/2025
Aegon Statz – Ghostbusters, Egon Spengler and Ray Stantz
http://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/NPC:Aegon_Statz
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghostbusters
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egon_Spengler
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Stantz
Aphrodite II – Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors
https://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/Creature:Aphrodite_II
https://littleshop.fandom.com/wiki/Audrey_II
Artemis New Moon – Artemis, goddess of the hunt
http://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/NPC:Artemis_New_Moon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemis
Brandon Mistborn – Brandon Sanderson, the author of the Mistborn epic fantasy novel series.
http://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/NPC:Brandon_Mistborn
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandon_Sanderson
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mistborn
Captain Jonah – Jonah
https://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/NPC:Captain_Jonah
https://starshiptroopers.fandom.com/wiki/Captain_Jonah
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonah
Colonel Romulus – Romulus
http://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/NPC:Romulus
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romulus_and_Remus
Daisy Willowmancer – Velma Dinkley
https://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/NPC:Daisy_Willowmancer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velma_Dinkley
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scooby-Doo,_Where_Are_You!
Doctor Purreau – Doctor Moreau
http://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/NPC:Doctor_Purreau
https://villains.fandom.com/wiki/Dr.Moreau
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Island_of_Doctor_Moreau
Doctor Zigmund – Sigmund Ooze the titular monster from Sigmund and the Sea Monsters
https://wiki.wizard101central.com/wiki/NPC:Doctor_Zigmund
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigmund_and_the_Sea_Monsters
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQymJaUA4Fo
Dorothy Gale, Mr. Toto, and Tin Man – Dorothy, Toto, and the Tin Man from Wizard of Oz
https://101universe.fandom.com/wiki/Dorothy_Gale
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wonderful_Wizard_of_Oz
Dworgyn – Ygor / Igor
https://wiki.wizard101central.com/wiki/NPC:Dworgyn
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_(character)
Eleanor Abernathy – Eleanor Abernathy aka The Crazy Cat Lady from The Simpsons
https://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/NPC:Eleanor_Abernathy
https://simpsons.fandom.com/wiki/Eleanor_Abernathy
Felix Navidad – Feliz Navidad
http://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/NPC:Felix_Navidad
https://youtu.be/N8NcQzMQN_U
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feliz_Navidad_(song)
General Akilles – Achilles
http://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/Creature:General_Akilles
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achilles
Gobblestone the Gobbler King and King Gobbsmack – Jareth the Goblin King
https://wiki.wizard101central.com/wiki/NPC:Gobbler_King
https://wiki.wizard101central.com/wiki/NPC:King_Gobbsmack
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jareth
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labyrinth_(1986_film)
Go Ninja, Go Ninja, Go!
Staff – Stick, Splinter
Purple Ninja Pig – Donatello
Orange Ninja Pig – Michelangelo
Red Ninja Pig – Raphael
Blue Ninja Pig – Leonardo
The Shedder – Shredder
B-Bug/Roachsteady — Beebop/Rocksteady
http://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/Quest:Go_Ninja,_Go_Ninja,_Go!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teenage_Mutant_Ninja_Turtles
Harker – Jonathan Harker from Bram Stoker’s Dracula and its many adaptations.
https://wiki.wizard101central.com/wiki/NPC:Harker
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dracula
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Harker
Howling Chaney – Lon Chaney Jr.
https://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/Creature:Howling_Chaney
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lon_Chaney_Jr.
King Heinrich Thermidor VIII – Henry Tudor aka King Henry VIII
Thomas Cromshell – Thomas Cromwell
http://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/NPC:King_Thermidor
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_VIII
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Cromwell
King Heinrich Thermidor von Krabbenburg VIII – Lobster Thermidor
https://wiki.wizard101central.com/wiki/NPC:King_Thermidor
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobster_Thermidor
King Parsely – Elvis Presley
http://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/House:King_Parsley
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elvis_Presley
Klortho – Vinz Clortho, Keymaster of Gozer
http://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/NPC:Klortho
https://ghostbusters.fandom.com/wiki/Vinz_Clortho
Krampus – Krampus
https://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/Creature:Krampus_(Rank_15)
https://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/Location:Krampusgarten_(Gold_Lock)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krampus
Landscaper Doug – Dig Dug the arcade game
https://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/Quest:Bugs_Dig_Doug
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dig_Dug
https://arcadespot.com/game/dig-dug/ (Play Dig Dug online)
Lizzo FireSpitter – Lizzo, Memory from Cats, and Jellicle Cats
https://wiki.wizard101central.com/wiki/NPC:Lizzo_FireSpitter
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lizzo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNlAvnBU__s
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memory_(Cats_song)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdBVJbzkoqo
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cats_(musical)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jellicle_cats
Lloyd Fallingwater – Frank Lloyd Wright
http://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/NPC:Lloyd_FallingWater
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Lloyd_Wright
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fallingwater
Luska Charmbeak – Lusca
https://wiki.wizard101central.com/wiki/Creature:Luska_Charmbeak
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lusca
https://www.purpledivepenida.com/post/coolest-mermaids-part-2
Malistaire Drake – The planet Malastare from the Star Wars universe
https://wiki.wizard101central.com/wiki/Creature:Malistaire_Drake
https://101universe.fandom.com/wiki/Malistaire_Drake
https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Malastare
https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Ainlee_Teem
Marla Stinger wants you to Fight Grubb – Marla Singer from Fight Club
Paulson – Robert Paulson
Norton – The Narrator as played by Edward Norton
http://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/NPC:Marla_Stinger
https://fightclub.fandom.com/wiki/Marla_Singer
http://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/Creature:Paulson
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/meat-loaf-fans-honor-fight-club-robert-paulson-1235078726/
http://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/Creature:Norton
http://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/Creature:Grubb
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fight_Club
Merle Ambrose – Merlin the Magician – Merlinus Ambrosius
https://101universe.fandom.com/wiki/Merle_Ambrose
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merlin
Mister Dead, Earl the Eater, Pesky Pete, Mane the Mauler – The Four Horsemen of the Apocolypse
https://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/Creature:Mr.Dead(Rank_17)
https://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/Creature:Earl_the_Eater
https://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/Creature:Pesky_Pete
https://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/Creature:Mane_the_Mauler
https://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/Quest:Defeating_a_Dead_Horse
https://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/Quest:How_to_End_the_World
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Horsemen_of_the_Apocalypse
Nosferabbit – Nosferatu
http://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/Creature:Nosferabbit
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nosferatu
Old Judd – Jud Crandall
https://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/Creature:Old_Judd
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pet_Sematary_(1989_film)
https://stephenking.fandom.com/wiki/Jud_Crandall
Penny Dreadful – penny dreadful
https://101universe.fandom.com/wiki/Penny_Dreadful
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penny_dreadful
The Pet Shoppe Boys: Tennant Wastelander & Lowe Springfield – Pet Shop Boys: Neil Tennant & Chris Lowe
http://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/Location:Pet_Shoppe_Boys_Pet_Shop
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pet_Shop_Boys
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_End_Girls
The Power is Ours Quest – Captain Planet and the Planeteers
Fear of Fire – James Wheeler
Fear of Drowning – Gi
Fear of Gentle Breezes – Linka
Buried Fear – Kwame
Ring of Guts – Ma-Ti
The Destroyer – Captain Planet
https://wiki.wizard101central.com/wiki/Quest:The_Power_is_Ours
https://wiki.wizard101central.com/wiki/Creature:Fear_of_Fire
https://wiki.wizard101central.com/wiki/Creature:Fear_of_Drowning
https://wiki.wizard101central.com/wiki/Creature:Fear_of_Gentle_Breezes
https://wiki.wizard101central.com/wiki/Creature:Buried_Fear
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Planet_and_the_Planeteers
Private O’Ryan – Private Ryan (Saving Private Ryan)
http://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/NPC:Private_O%27Ryan
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120815/
Privates Rosencranz and Guildenstern – Rosencrantz and Guildenstern (Shakespeare’s Hamlet)
http://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/NPC:Private_Rosencranz
http://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/NPC:Private_Guildenstern
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosencrantz_and_Guildenstern
Professor Hargrove – A former KingsIsle Art Director. Out of respect for the family his full name will not be disclosed
http://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/NPC:Professor_Hargrove
Prospector Zeke – Stinky Pete from Toy Story 2
https://wiki.wizard101central.com/wiki/NPC:Prospector_Zeke
https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Stinky_Pete
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toy_Story_2
Renee Wooften – Renee Wooten
http://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/NPC:Renee_Wooften
https://101universe.fandom.com/wiki/Renee_Wooten
Renfield FlyGob – R. M. Renfield
https://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/NPC:Renfield_FlyGob
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renfield
Sabrina Greenstar – Sabrina Spellman the Teenage Witch
https://wiki.wizard101central.com/wiki/NPC:Sabrina_Greenstar
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabrina_Spellman
Sergeant Muldoon – Sergeant Muldoon (The Green Berets 1968)
http://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/NPC:Sergeant_Muldoon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Green_Berets(film)
https://the-green-berets.fandom.com/wiki/Sergeant_Muldoon
Shane von Shane – Dracula / Atticus Shane? / Count Strahd von Zarovich (updated 9/27/2024)
https://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/Creature:Shane_von_Shane_(Star)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dracula
https://vampirediaries.fandom.com/wiki/Atticus_Shane
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Strahd_von_Zarovich
Sir Phillip Jagger – Sir Michael Philip “Mick” Jagger
http://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/NPC:Sir_Phillip_Jagger
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mick_Jagger
Tatyana – Tatyana from the Dungeons & Dragons Forgotten Realms Curse of Strahd campaign.
https://wiki.wizard101central.com/wiki/NPC:Tatyana
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Tatyana
Young Cyrus Drake – Bob Ross
https://101universe.fandom.com/wiki/Cyrus_Drake
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Ross
Unconfirmed references, Non-NPC references, Cool Puns used:
Moolinda Wu refers to the name of an actual person, Melinda Wu (connection to W101 unconfirmed)
Derrick Blaze – (Make-a-Wish kid, real name withheld for privacy reasons)
Fireglobe Theater – Shakespeare’s The Globe Theater
The pet piggle is a reference to that old saying “when pigs fly”.
The school Tree names are quite punny, Bernie = Burn, Kelvin = Measure of temperature used by scientists, Torrence = Torrents, Ivan = Eye-Van, Mortis = as in rigormortis
Prof. Falmea‘s name is an anagram of “aflame”.
The Great One – The Killer Rabbit from Monty Python’s Holy Grail? Bunnicula? I currently do not have enough information to accurately call this reference.
Manny Dibbles from the Olde Town Drains is a bug with mandibles
Salty Prepper from the Drains is a pun on Salt and Pepper
Queen Margherita from Valencia accessed via the Catacombs is a pun on the Margarita
Angelica Windspar, Eliza Windspar could be the Schuyler sisters from Hamilton the Musical but if so why is the third Windspar sister named Myrella and not Peggy? Listing this one as unconfirmed.
Sir Blackwater could refer to the North Carolina based, private military contactors, Blackwater. There is not enough information confirm this.
Regina Flametalon was suggested as having been inspired by Regina Mill / The Evil Queen on ABC’s Once Upon a Time. However, since Wizard City predates the premier of the series, I’m chalking that one up to coincidence.
Rattlebones was suggested by John G. as being inspired by Rattlegore in World of Warcraft. However, since Rattlegore was added to WoW in 2019, it might be a case of W101 influencing WoW
Private Quinn was suggested as being inspired by Private Quinn in Gears of War. This is a coincidence as the comic book character was introduced in 2019.
The mini game Sorcery Stones alludes to the American title of the first Harry Potter book.
The Lightning Seeds your Wizard needs to find in Crab Alley alludes to the alternative pop band, Lightning Seeds who had a hit song named “Pure and Simple”
Other worlds of the Spiral in the Wizard101 Pop Culture references series
Krokotopia
Marleybone
Mooshu
Dragonspyre
Grizzleheim / Wintertusk
Aquila
Wysteria
Celestia
Zafaria
Avalon
Azteca
Khrysalis
Polaris
Mirage
Empyrea
Karamelle
Lemuria
Novus
Wallaru
Zeke Quests and Eloise Quests
Vulcan Stev's Database 