The world of roller coasters is a realm of thrilling speeds, breathtaking drops, and adrenaline-pumping experiences. While velocity is a key component of the coaster experience, it’s often the immense height that initially sets the stage for these exhilarating rides. To achieve those mind-numbing speeds, traditional, non-launched coasters rely on gravity, requiring them to first ascend to vertigo-inducing heights. The tallest roller coaster in the world, a monument to engineering and thrill-seeking, pierces the sky at over 600 feet, a testament to the ever-evolving pursuit of extreme thrills.
It’s important to note that ranking these behemoths isn’t always as simple as measuring from the highest point to the ground. Some coasters incorporate underground tunnels or are cleverly integrated into natural ravines, adding complexity to the height calculation. Therefore, our list focuses on the overall drop height of these incredible machines.
Prepare to be captivated as we embark on a journey to explore the 15 tallest roller coasters in the world, each a unique marvel that redefines the boundaries of excitement and engineering. From record-breaking heights to innovative designs, these coasters offer an unforgettable experience for thrill-seekers. So, buckle up, and let’s ascend to new heights with these titans of the amusement park industry.
1. Falcon’s Flight: Over 600-Foot Drop
While currently unbuilt and therefore not officially ranked, Falcon’s Flight is poised to claim the title of the world’s tallest roller coaster upon its projected opening in late 2024. This ambitious project, located in Qiddiya, Saudi Arabia, promises to redefine the limits of coaster engineering.
The sheer scale of Falcon’s Flight is staggering. It boasts a planned drop exceeding 600 feet, dwarfing existing records by a considerable margin. But the record-breaking doesn’t stop there. The coaster is designed to plunge off a cliff and into a valley, creating a dramatic and unparalleled sensation of freefall.
Beyond its immense height, Falcon’s Flight is engineered for blistering speed. Riders will be propelled to approximately 155 mph, making it the fastest roller coaster on the planet. Adding to the spectacle, the ride will span approximately 2.5 miles, obliterating the existing record for the world’s longest roller coaster. Falcon’s Flight is not just a coaster; it’s an experience that will redefine the thrill ride landscape.
2. Kingda Ka: 456-Foot Drop
A titan in its own right, Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, USA, once held the dual titles of world’s fastest and tallest roller coaster when it debuted in 2005. While it has since been surpassed in the speed category, its towering 456-foot drop remains a formidable challenge for even the most seasoned coaster enthusiasts.
Kingda Ka is a hydraulically launched coaster, meaning it uses a powerful hydraulic system to catapult riders from 0 to 128 mph in a mere 3.5 seconds. This explosive acceleration propels the train up its signature top-hat tower, providing a brief moment of weightlessness at the peak before plummeting down the other side in a near-vertical drop. The entire ride lasts a mere 50.6 seconds, making it one of the shortest in the world. However, the sheer intensity of the launch and the drop ensures an unforgettable, albeit fleeting, experience.
3. Top Thrill 2: 420-Foot Drop
Cedar Point in Ohio, USA, a park renowned for its collection of record-breaking coasters, is home to Top Thrill 2, formerly known as Top Thrill Dragster. This steel accelerator coaster, standing at an impressive 420 feet, held the title of the world’s tallest (and fastest) coaster for a time.
Top Thrill 2 utilizes a hydraulic launch system to catapult riders from 0 to an incredible speed in seconds, sending them soaring up the colossal top-hat tower. The ride offers a brief but intense burst of adrenaline as it races along the track, offering breathtaking views of the park before plunging back down to earth. Reopening in the summer of 2024 as a reimagined triple-launch coaster, Top Thrill 2 will offer an extended duration of two minutes.
The coaster’s prominent location in the middle of Cedar Point’s midway adds to its allure. The anticipation builds as the racing lights on the tower cycle through red, yellow, and green, signaling the imminent launch. Top Thrill 2 is not just a ride; it’s a spectacle that captivates both riders and onlookers alike.
4. Superman: Escape From Krypton: 415-Foot Drop
Located at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California, USA, Superman: Escape from Krypton was once the tallest roller coaster in the world. This colossal ride also holds the distinction of being the first coaster to exceed both a 300-foot drop and a 400-foot tower.
Superman: Escape from Krypton is a reverse freefall coaster, meaning riders are launched backward up the 415-foot tower before plummeting forward in a breathtaking freefall. The experience is amplified by the fact that riders face forward as they descend, adding to the sensation of vulnerability and excitement.
In 2011, Six Flags revamped Superman with new trains, improving its reliability and performance. This revitalized version ensures that riders experience the full intensity of the drop and the coaster’s near-100 mph top speed. Superman: Escape from Krypton remains a testament to the enduring appeal of extreme heights and exhilarating drops.
5. Red Force: Approximately 367-Foot Drop
Located at Ferrari Land in PortAventura World in Spain, Red Force is a testament to speed and Italian engineering. This launched coaster features a sleek, Ferrari-themed design and boasts a top-hat tower that reaches approximately 367 feet.
Unlike hydraulically launched coasters, Red Force utilizes linear synchronous motors (LSMs) to propel riders from 0 to nearly 112 mph in just five seconds. This magnetic launch system provides a smooth yet powerful acceleration, adding to the overall thrill of the ride. Red Force offers a brief but intense burst of adrenaline as it races along the track, delivering an unforgettable experience for coaster enthusiasts.
6. Fury 325: 325-Foot Drop
Fury 325, a "Giga-Coaster" at Carowinds in North Carolina, USA, stands at an impressive 325 feet. This colossal coaster is known for its relentless speed, breathtaking drops, and smooth ride experience.
Fury 325 utilizes a traditional lift hill to ascend its towering peak. Once at the summit, riders are plunged down an 81-degree drop, reaching a top speed of 95 mph. The coaster’s layout is characterized by sweeping turns, intense airtime hills, and a relentless pace that leaves riders breathless. Its prominent location at the front of Carowinds, passing under the entrance path, makes it a visually stunning and iconic attraction.
7. Millennium Force: 310-Foot Drop
Millennium Force, another Giga-Coaster at Cedar Point, offers a classic combination of height, speed, and thrills. This steel behemoth stands at 310 feet and utilizes an elevator cable lift system to quickly transport riders to the summit.
Reaching speeds of 93 mph, Millennium Force delivers an intense ride experience characterized by its colossal drop, sweeping turns, and sustained high speeds. The coaster’s layout is designed to maximize both speed and G-forces, creating a visceral and exhilarating experience for riders.
8. Steel Dragon 2000: 307-Foot Drop
Located at Nagashima Spa Land in Japan, Steel Dragon 2000 is a testament to the enduring appeal of classic coaster design. This massive steel coaster stands at 318 feet and utilizes a traditional lift hill to reach its towering peak.
What truly sets Steel Dragon 2000 apart is its sheer length. At 8,133 feet, it is the world’s longest roller coaster, offering a sustained and thrilling ride experience that lasts approximately four minutes. Reaching speeds of 95 mph, the coaster delivers a relentless barrage of drops, turns, and airtime moments, making it a truly unforgettable ride.
9. Leviathan: 306-Foot Drop
Leviathan, a Giga-Coaster at Canada’s Wonderland in Ontario, Canada, is a masterpiece of engineering from Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), renowned for their smooth and innovative coaster designs. This colossal coaster stands at 306 feet and offers a seamless blend of height, speed, and unparalleled ride comfort.
Leviathan’s layout is characterized by sweeping turns, steep drops, and intense airtime hills, all delivered with B&M’s signature smoothness. Reaching speeds of 92 mph, the coaster offers a thrilling yet refined ride experience that appeals to a wide range of coaster enthusiasts.
10. Intimidator 305: 300-Foot Drop
Intimidator 305, located at Kings Dominion in Virginia, USA, is a Giga-Coaster that lives up to its name. This steel behemoth stands at 305 feet and delivers an intense ride experience characterized by its blistering speed, high G-forces, and relentless pacing.
Intimidator 305 features a layout that emphasizes speed and G-forces over inversions or gimmicky features. Riders are subjected to sustained periods of high positive Gs, creating a visceral and demanding ride experience.
11. Orion: 300-Foot Drop
Orion, another Giga-Coaster at Kings Island in Ohio, USA, shares the tenth spot on our list with a massive 300-foot drop. Designed and built by Bolliger & Mabillard, Orion opened in 2020 as the park’s 14th coaster, demonstrating their continued commitment to thrill rides.
12. Pepsi Hyperion: 262-Foot Drop
Pepsi Hyperion at Energylandia in Poland reaches a ferocious speed of 88 mph after an initial drop at a nearly vertical 84 degrees. Opened in 2018, this coaster has a sibling coaster in the same park, Speed, but don’t let the name fool you, Hyperion tops it for speed.
13. Coaster Through the Clouds: 256-Foot Drop
The massive Coaster Through the Clouds uses a cable lift to more quickly get its trains up its 256-foot lift hill. At 85 mph, it is also the country’s fastest coaster and the tallest roller coaster in China.
14. Shambhala: 256-Foot Drop
This mountain-expedition-themed coaster is also one of the world’s fastest (at 83 mph). Shambhala rises 249 but drops 256 feet because it enters an underground tunnel at the bottom of its first drop. It includes five airtime hills, the smallest of which is 70 feet.
Unranked: SkyScraper – 570-Foot Drop
Although construction has been delayed numerous times, SkyScraper would have climbed a 570-foot observation tower, reached speeds of 65 mph, and included inversions.
