I am looking for good spells for my wizard class. Any encounter can help.( my dm can be unpredictable, from zombies, to alternate dimensions, and anything in between.

What level are you and what do you want your character's role to be in a fight?

I think find familiar is one of the most generic useful spells. Flying Scouting. Help actions. And general fun to role play with a familiar.

You need to tell us your:

• Personality
• Level
• Role
• subclass (if any).

Otherwise, all we can do is tell you that Wish is generally considered the best Wizard spell.

Prestidigitation, Fire Bolt, Mage Armor, Find Familiar, Rope Trick, Tiny Hut, Magic Missile, Detect Magic, Identify, Ray of Frost, Hideous Laughter, Sleep, Unseen Servant, Dragon Breath, Enlarge/Reduce, Haste, Hold Person, Knock, Invisibility, Locate Object, Fireball....

surprise me, but I like attack any go for any level.

Shield

Misty Step (best defensive spell of 2nd level or lower), Skywrite - great communication.

Hypnotic Pattern, Counterspell (caster stopper)

Banishment  (Charisma save to kill that guy after all else are dead)

Bigby's Hand  (Strength check better than a Save)

Globe of Invunerability (negates counterspells), scatter  (negates ambushes)