In this article, we will be taking a look at the 20 tallest roller coasters in the world. We will also take a look at what’s going on in the amusement parks industry and some of the biggest industry players.
The Amusement Parks Industry: A World of Fun and Business
The amusement parks industry plays a crucial role in providing entertainment and leisure activities for people of all ages. According to a report by Grand View Research, the global amusement parks market was estimated to have reached a value of $56.32 billion in 2022. Looking forward, the market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2% from 2023 to 2030 to reach a value of $91.31 billion by the end of the forecast period.
The amusement parks industry is expected to benefit from increased visits and rising consumer spending. On April 30, The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) reported that North American theme parks are expected to experience a 2% increase in attendance, representing over 300 million visits in 2024. Additionally, consumer spending is forecasted to rise by 7%, reaching more than $32 billion. President and CEO of The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), Jakob Wahl said:
“We’re seeing consumers shifting spending from material goods and instead investing in those trips—and memories—with family.”
A Look at the Top Amusement Park Companies
As consumer spending increases, several companies operating in the amusement parks industry are adjusting their strategies to capitalize on emerging opportunities and drive growth. Some of the biggest amusement park companies in the world are United Parks & Resorts Inc. (NYSE:PRKS) and Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE:SIX).
United Parks & Resorts Inc. (NYSE:PRKS) is one of the world’s biggest theme park and entertainment companies. It owns and operates a diverse portfolio of park brands and experiences, including Busch Gardens, Discovery Cove, Sesame Place, Water Country USA, Adventure Island, SeaWorld, and Aquatica. On April 8, United Parks & Resorts Inc. (NYSE:PRKS) announced that it is hiring to fill over 5,000 positions across all of its award-winning park brands. These positions include seasonal, part-time, and full-time roles in various areas such as ride operations, park quality, ride technician, lifeguards, food and beverage, retail, guest services, and entertainment. The open positions are available across the country where the parks operate, including California, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE:SIX) is one of the world’s biggest amusement park companies with 27 parks across the US, Mexico, and Canada. It is known for its world-class coasters, themed rides, thrilling water parks, and unique attractions. On May 13, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE:SIX) announced that it has made significant strides in its parks across North America, opening four of seven new roller coasters as part of a two-year record investment. This investment also includes dozens of new rides and guest experiences that are set to debut this season. Six Flags Entertainment Corporation’s (NYSE:SIX) largest park, Six Flags Great Adventure Resort, will introduce Savannah Sunset Resort & Spa, a world-class resort experience nestled within one of the largest guided safaris in the US. President and CEO of Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE:SIX), Selim Bassoul, said:
“This year, we’re taking it to the next level, investing like never before in family-friendly attractions, new exciting roller coasters and memorable experiences that will keep our guests coming back for more. Where every visit is not just fun it is epic.”
Now that we have discussed what’s going on in the amusement parks industry, let’s shift our focus to the 20 tallest roller coasters in the world. You can also take a look at the tallest roller coasters in the US and the cities with the most skyscrapers in the world.
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Methodology
In this article, we have listed the 20 tallest roller coasters in the world. To collect data for our list of the tallest roller coasters in the world, we gathered data from multiple sources, including Coasterpedia, CabinZero, Roller Coaster DataBase, and Roller Coaster Wiki. We also consulted numerous other online lists and resources to verify the height and operational status of each of the top roller coasters in the world before narrowing down our selection. The tallest roller coasters in the world are ranked below in ascending order of their height.
Please note that for our list of the top 20 tallest roller coasters in the world, we have excluded roller coasters that have been permanently closed.
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20 Tallest Roller Coasters in the World
20. Hyperia
Location: Chertsey, Surrey, England.
Height: 236 Feet
Standing at a height of 236 feet, Hyperia in Thorpe Park in Chertsey, Surrey, England, ranks among the 20 tallest roller coasters in the world. This steel hypercoaster opened in May 2024 as the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the UK. Hyperia roller coaster boasts an impressive 995 meters of twisted track and reaches speeds of over 80 miles per hour. Notably, it features Europe’s tallest loop, standing at an impressive 168 feet.
19. The Oath of Kärnan
Location: Sierksdorf, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.
Height: 240 Feet
The Oath of Kärnan is a hypercoaster at Hansa-Park in Sierksdorf, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. This steel roller coaster reaches speeds of over 78 miles per hour on the 1,235-meter-long track. It also features a unique reverse free fall from over 106 feet. At a towering height of 240 feet, The Oath of Kärnan stands is one of Europe’s tallest roller coasters.
18. Silver Star
Location: Rust, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
Height: 240 Feet
Silver Star is a steel roller coaster in Europa-Park in Rust, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. The coaster features many camelback hills and can reach speeds of over 80 miles per hour. Standing at a height of 240 feet, Silver Star ranks 18th on our list of the tallest roller coasters in the world.
17. Coaster Through the Clouds
Location: Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
Height: 242 Feet
Coaster Through the Clouds is a steel roller coaster located at Nanchang Sunac Land in Nanchang, Jiangxi, China. It holds the record for being both the tallest and fastest roller coaster in China. Coaster Through the Clouds reaches a height of 242 feet.
16. Titan
Location: Arlington, Texas, United States.
Height: 245 Feet
Titan is a steel roller coaster located at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, Texas. It is one of the tallest roller coasters in the US. It is the fastest and tallest roller coaster in the US state of Texas. With a maximum speed of 85 miles per hour, Titan is a hypercoaster that towers at 245 feet tall.
15. Shambhala
Location: Vilaseca, Tarragona, Spain.
Height: 249 Feet
Shambhala is a steel roller coaster located at PortAventura Park in Vilaseca, Tarragona, Spain. It ranks among the top 15 on our list of the tallest roller coasters in the world. The hypercoaster features a number of camelback hills and it stands at a height of 249 feet.
14. Eejanaika
Location: Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi, Japan.
Height: 249 Feet
Eejanaika is a steel roller coaster at the Fuji-Q Highland amusement park in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi, Japan. This hypercoaster is a fourth-dimension coaster, a design in which the seat rotates forward and backward while traveling. Eejanaika stands at an impressive height of 249 feet.
13. Hyperion
Location: Zator, Poland.
Height: 253 Feet
Hyperion is a steel roller coaster that ranks among the tallest roller coasters in the world. The roller coaster has a maximum speed of 86 miles per hour and features several hills, multiple turns, water effects, splash flow, and sudden gravity effects. Located at Energylandia in Zator, Poland, Hyperion stands at a height of 253 feet.
12. Fujiyama
Location: Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi, Japan.
Height: 259 Feet
Fujiyama is a steel roller coaster at the Fuji-Q Highland amusement park in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi, Japan. It ranks 12th on our list of the tallest roller coasters in the world. When it first opened in July 1996, Fujiyama was the tallest roller coaster in the world. Fujiyama reaches a height of 259 feet.
11. Thunder Dolphin
Location: Tokyo, Japan.
Height: 263 Feet
Thunder Dolphin is a steel roller coaster at the Tokyo Dome City Attractions amusement park in Tokyo, Japan. This roller coaster can reach speeds of over 80 miles per hour. As one of the tallest continuous circuit roller coasters in the world, Thunder Dolphin stands at an impressive height of 263 feet.
10. Orion
Location: Mason, Ohio, United States.
Height: 287 Feet
Orion is a steel roller coaster that ranks among the top 10 tallest roller coasters in the world. Located at the Kings Island amusement park in Mason, Ohio, this roller coaster features a 300-foot drop. Reaching speeds up to 91 miles per hour, Orion is also one of the fastest roller coasters in the world. The coaster stands at a height of 287 feet.
9. Project 305
Location: Doswell, Virginia, United States.
Height: 305 Feet
Project 305, previously known as Intimidator 305, is a steel roller coaster located at the Kings Dominion amusement park in Doswell, Virginia, United States. It features a drop of 300 feet at an 85-degree angle, and it has many high-speed twists and turns. Project 305 reaches a height of 305 feet at its highest point.
8. Leviathan
Location: Vaughan, Ontario, Canada.
Height: 306 Feet
Leviathan is a steel roller coaster at Canada’s Wonderland in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada. This hypercoaster features a steep 80-degree drop and it can reach speeds of over 92 miles per hour. It is the tallest and fastest roller coaster in Canada. Leviathan reaches a maximum height of 306 feet. It ranks 8th on our list of the tallest roller coasters in the world.
7. Millennium Force
Location: Sandusky, Ohio, United States.
Height: 310 Feet
Millennium Force is a steel roller coaster located at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. At the time of its opening, this roller coaster was the world’s first giga coaster, standing at a height that exceeded 300 feet. It was the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world at the time. Millennium Force takes riders over hills, past lagoons and through tunnels. Millennium Force reaches a height of 310 feet at its highest point.
6. Steel Dragon 2000
Location: Kuwana, Mie, Japan.
Height: 318 Feet
Steel Dragon 2000 is a steel roller coaster located at Nagashima Spa Land amusement park in Kuwana, Mie, Japan. When it was opened to the public in August 2000, this roller coaster broke many world records and became the tallest and the longest roller coaster in the world. Steel Dragon 2000 is 318 feet tall. It ranks 6th on our list of the tallest roller coasters in the world.
5. Fury 325
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina, United States.
Height: 325 Feet
Fury 325 is a steel roller coaster that ranks among the top 5 tallest roller coasters in the world. Located at the Carowinds amusement park in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, this roller coaster features a high barrel turn, a high-speed S-curve, and a dramatic 81-degree drop, and it can reach speeds of up to 95 miles per hour. Fury 325 reaches a maximum height of 325 feet.