An Emmy-winning hit
The series won Outstanding Children's Program at the 2009 Primetime Emmys — rare recognition for a cable sitcom aimed at tweens.
Wizards of Waverly Place is a Disney Channel fantasy sitcom that ran for four seasons and became one of the defining shows of late-2000s children's television. Alex, Justin, and Max Russo are wizard siblings living above the Waverly Place Sub Shop in Greenwich Village — trained by their former-wizard father Jerry and mortal mother Theresa, knowing that one day only one of them will keep their powers. Alex uses magic for shortcuts, Justin follows the rules, and Max causes chaos; Harper Finkle, Alex's best friend, eventually learns the family's secret.
At a Glance
Full titleWizards of Waverly Place
CreatorTodd J. Greenwald
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Theme song"Everything Is Not What It Seems"
ProductionIt's a Laugh Productions
FilmingHollywood Center Studios, California
Original networkDisney Channel
Final episodeJan 2012
Why Wizards of Waverly Place endures
It looked like standard Disney Channel fare — wacky magic, laugh track, colorful sets — but it outlasted almost every sitcom of its era and launched one of the biggest pop careers of the 2010s.
Wizards of Waverly Place arrived in 2007, when Disney Channel was at peak sitcom output. Todd J. Greenwald, who had worked on Hannah Montana, built something that felt familiar on the surface — a magical family, a theme song performed by the lead, episodic chaos — but gave it a specific New York identity and sibling dynamic that kept it from blending into the pack.
Selena Gomez's Alex Russo is one of the great Disney Channel protagonists: lazy, witty, and secretly soft-hearted. David Henrie's Justin is the perfect foil, and Jake T. Austin's Max supplies surreal one-liners that shouldn't work but always do. Jennifer Stone's Harper is the secret weapon — the mortal best friend who becomes funnier once she enters the magical world.
The show won a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Children's Program in 2009, outlasted most of its peers with 106 episodes, and spawned a successful TV movie. When Disney Channel revived the concept in 2024 with Gomez and Henrie returning, it was proof that Waverly Place never really left the culture. For viewers who grew up on it, the Russo family is comfort television — and it earns that status.
Everything is not what it seems — including how sharp and emotionally grounded this show could be when it wanted to be.
Alex Russo as an icon
Selena Gomez's sarcastic, rule-breaking wizard became one of Disney Channel's most memorable leads and launched a global music career.
Sibling comedy that scales up
The show starts as spell-of-the-week chaos and grows into a story about family sacrifice — without losing its sense of humor.
A franchise that returned
The 2009 TV movie, 2013 reunion special, and 2024 sequel series kept Waverly Place alive across two generations of viewers.
Story
Three siblings, one sub shop, and a family secret on Waverly Place
01
Magic in Manhattan
The Russos look like an ordinary New York family running a sandwich shop — but Alex, Justin, and Max are wizards in training, hiding spells from the mortal world while Harper, their parents, and a rotating cast of classmates complicate every cover story.
02
Alex vs. the rules
Alex Russo would rather wing it than study the spell book, and every shortcut backfires in spectacular sitcom fashion. Her rivalry with straight-laced Justin and her friendship with Harper give the show its heart — and its funniest running gags.
03
The Wizard Competition
As the siblings grow up, the looming Wizard Competition stops being a distant threat and becomes the show's emotional center. Only one Russo can keep their powers — and the final seasons turn family comedy into something surprisingly bittersweet.
Cast
Main characters and performers
Behind the Scenes
Aired for four seasons and 106 episodes from October 2007 to January 2012 on Disney Channel.
Won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Program in 2009.
Creator Todd J. Greenwald previously worked as a writer on Hannah Montana.
Theme song "Everything Is Not What It Seems" is performed by Selena Gomez.
The 2009 TV movie Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie drew over 11 million viewers on premiere night.
A sequel series starring Selena Gomez and David Henrie premiered on Disney Channel in 2024.
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FAQ
How many seasons of Wizards of Waverly Place are there?
Four seasons with 106 episodes, airing from 2007 to 2012, plus a one-hour reunion special in 2013.
Who wins the Wizard Competition?
The finale reveals the outcome of the family competition — watch the series to see which Russo sibling keeps their powers.
Is there a Wizards of Waverly Place movie?
Yes. Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie aired on Disney Channel in 2009, sending the Russo family on a magical adventure in the Caribbean.
Who plays Alex Russo?
Selena Gomez stars as Alex Russo throughout all four seasons of the original series.
Where is Wizards of Waverly Place set?
The Russo family lives and runs their sub shop on Waverly Place in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York City.
Did Wizards of Waverly Place win any awards?
Yes. The series won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Program in 2009.
Where can I watch Wizards of Waverly Place?
Availability varies by region. Check MovieLinks for current streaming options, trailers, and related titles.
