The first roller coasters or gravity rides were invented in Russia in the late 1600s. The ride had a simple construction of high wooden ramps covered with water, which then became ice. This was a very popular winter activity, built at fancy palaces, villages, and city parks; some even had lightning for night sliding.
The first modern roller coaster was constructed in Paris in 1817 and was named “Promenades Aériennes”. In the United States first roller coaster opened in the 1870s at an old mining railway, where steam engines hauled carts up. The ride speed was 6 miles per hour and cost 5 cents.
The roller coasters have significantly improved since then – track complexity, ride speed, length and height reach records that only the real adrenaline junkies are willing to try. So here are the top 25 tallest roller coasters in the world – would you dare to ride them?
Interactive Map of 25 Tallest Roller Coasters
1. Falcon’s Flight (not opened yet)
Even though Falcon’s Flight is yet under construction, it will be the world’s tallest, longest and fastest roller coaster ever built. Set to open in 2023 at Six Flags Qiddiya park in Saudi Arabia, this ride will be like no other.
According to an official press release, riders will experience a breathtaking ride of 2.5 miles, with the dive from 525 feet height and a speed of 155 miles per hour in just 3 minutes.
Coaster will be the world’s tallest free-standing coaster structure and include a parabolic airtime hill that allows a weightless experience for 20 passengers at a time.
2. Kingda Ka
Kingda Ka is the tallest and second-fastest coaster in the world. Located at Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, NJ, this ride will take your breath away as you race up to 128 miles per hour and 456 feet high! Just a few seconds later, you’ve already plummeted 3118 ft with an overall incredible experience lasting only 60 seconds – one of why Kingda Ka has become renowned worldwide for its thrilling drops!
3. Top Thrill Dragster
Top Thrill Dragster is on top of the world’s tallest and fastest roller coasters list for reaching speeds of up to 120 miles per hour and heights of 420 feet. This incredible coaster is located at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, and has been thrilling riders since 2003.
Top Thrill Dragster is one of the most visited rides, and it’s easy to see why. With its fast speeds and towering height, this coaster provides an adrenaline rush like no other. In addition to being the tallest coaster in the world, Top Thrill Dragster is also one of the longest at 2800 feet. So if you are looking for a thrill ride that will take your breath away, be sure to check out Top Thrill Dragster!
4. Superman: Escape from Krypton
Feel the thrill of superhero-level excitement with Superman: Escape from Krypton! Built by Swiss manufacturer Intamin and opened in March 1997, this coaster is one of the tallest and fastest roller coasters on Earth. Stretching up to 415 feet tall, riders experience heart-pounding speeds reaching 100 miles per hour along its red track. Experience it yourself – you won’t regret it!
5. Tower of Terror II
Since its grand opening in 1997, Tower of Terror II has been thrilling visitors to Dreamworld Family Theme Park in Queensland, Australia. Developed by Intamin and the first coaster ever designed attaining speeds up to 100 mph – it reached a world-record 377 feet tall when it re-opened as an upgraded “Tower of Terror II” ride with 6.5 seconds’ worth of weightlessness in 2010! It remains one fourth tallest rollercoaster on Earth today.
6. Red Force
The Red Force roller coaster is one of the fastest and tallest in Europe, reaching a speed of up to 112 miles per hour. This incredible ride is located at Salou, Tarragona, Spain and towers over the rest of the park at an impressive height of 368 feet.
Red Force offers riders an adrenaline rush, with twists and turns that will leave you breathless. In addition to its thrilling speed, Red Force also has one of the most extended drops in the world, measuring an impressive 2887 feet and a duration of only 39 seconds from start to finish. So if you’re looking for a heart-pounding roller coaster experience in Europe, be sure to check out Red Force!
7. Fury 325
Get ready to experience pure adrenaline rush with Fury 325, the world’s tallest and fastest mega coaster located in Carowinds park of Charlotte, North Carolina! Speed your way around this iconic ride at 95 mph over heights of up to a whopping 325 feet. Immerse yourself in its unique wooden track design for an extra level intensity as you traverse along it for 3 thrilling minutes. No doubt about it -Fury 325 is any thrill-seeking adventurer’s MUST RIDE!
8. Steel Dragon 2000
Steel Dragon 2000 is a steel roller coaster situated in Kuwana, Japan. Designed by Steve Okamoto and opened on August 1st, 2000 to the public, this advanced feat of engineering holds two records: being both longest (8133 feet) AND tallest (318 feet) coasters in the world! Offering 4 thrilling minutes with speeds up to 95 miles per hour it remains one of Japan’s most popular attractions for all thrill seekers out there.
9. Millennium Force
When visiting Sandusky (OH), you must visit Cedar Point amusement park and see or even try the Millennium Force roller coaster. It was designed by german coaster designer Werner Stengel and opened to the public in 2000. At the time of its opening, Millennium Force was the world’s tallest and fastest roller coaster, reaching speeds of up to 93 miles per hour.
What makes Millennium Force so unique is its design – the train lifts to the 310-foot hill at a 45-degree angle in just 20 seconds and drops from 300 feet height at an 80-degree angle, reaching a top speed and then climbs a 169 feet overbanked turn at 122 degrees. And all of this in just 2 minutes
10. Leviathan
Leviathan is a steel roller coaster located at Canada’s Wonderland in Vaughan, Ontario. It was designed by Swiss manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard and opened to the public on May 6, 2012.
What makes Leviathan so special is its design – featuring a unique twisted track that gives riders extra excitement. In addition to its thrilling speed, Leviathan also has one of the most extended drops in the world, measuring an astounding 306 feet. So if you’re looking for a heart-pounding roller coaster experience, be sure to check out Leviathan!
11. Intimidator 305
Intimidator 305 is a steel roller coaster built at Kings Dominion amusement park in Doswell, Virginia. It was designed by Swiss manufacturer Intamin and opened to the public on April 2, 2010.
The name Intimidator 305 speaks for itself – a ride of just 3 minutes and staggering height of 305 feet, a speed of 90 mph and a length of 5,100 ft will surely intimidate you and make your life flash before your eyes.
12. Orion
Get ready for a wild ride on Orion – the newest roller coaster at Kings Island amusement park in Mason, Ohio. Designed by Swiss manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard and unveiled to thrill-seekers just last year, Orion takes its riders on an unforgettable journey with twisted tracks that serve up extra doses of adrenaline along one of the longest drops found around the world – 306 feet! Experience it now and don’t forget to buckle your seatbelt!
13. Thunder Dolphin
Experience the world-famous Thunder Dolphin roller coaster at Tokyo Dome City in Japan. Designed by renowned Sansei Technologies, this heart-stopping ride features a steel track full of twists and turns as well as one of longest drops anywhere – an incredible 246 feet! If you’re looking for thrills to last long after leaving the park then make sure to take on the challenge that is Thunder Dolphin.
14. Fujiyama
Fujiyama is a steel roller coaster located at Fuji-Q Highland amusement park in Japan. It was designed by Japanese manufacturer Sansei Technologies and opened to the public in 1996.
The Fujiyama roller coaster is a monstrous ride standing at an intimidating height of 263 feet; the Fujiyama is the fourteenth world’s tallest roller coaster.
It has a staggering drop of 230 feet and reaches speeds of up to 80 miles per hour! So if you’re looking for a heart-stopping thrill ride, the Fujiyama is definitely not to be missed!
15. Shambhala
The Shambhala roller coaster is a heart-stopping thrill ride that will take your breath away! Located in the beautiful country of Spain, this coaster reaches speeds of up to 83 mph and features a staggering height of 249 feet. With its twists and turns, you’ll be on the edge of your seat the whole time!
The Shambhala roller coaster is undoubtedly not for the faint of heart – it’s one of the most extreme rides in the world! But if you’re looking for an adrenaline rush like no other, this is the coaster for you!
16. Eejanaika
The Eejanaika roller coaster is one of the most extreme and fastest coasters on the planet. It is located at Fuji-Q Highland amusement park in Japan. The coaster has a maximum speed of 78 mph and features 14 twists, including a 90-degree vertical loop. And the top height of 249 feet. Despite it all, it is a “4th Dimension” coaster, which means the seats rotate forward and backward 360 degrees in a controlled spin. If this is not crazy enough, the ride is 3,783 feet long and takes 2 minutes from start to finish.
17. Titan
Built at Six Flags Over Texas amusement park in Arlington, Texas, Titan is a steel roller coaster that will take your breath away. Built by Giovanola and designed by Werner Stengel Titan roller coaster was opened to the public in 2001.
Titan is one of the top tallest and fastest rides in the world. With a maximum height of 245 feet and reaching speeds of up to 85 miles per hour, this hypercoaster features an out-and-back and twister track layout and a 255-foot drop.
So if you’re looking for an extreme roller coaster experience and visiting Texas – be sure to check out Titan to make your visit the one you will never forget!
18. Speed – The Ride
Speed – The Ride is a heart-pounding roller coaster located in the beautiful state of Nevada. This coaster reaches a speed of up to 70 miles per hour and features a staggering height of 224 feet!
With its twists and turns, you’ll be on the edge of your seat the whole ride! Speed – The Ride roller coaster is undoubtedly one of the most extreme rides in the world where you can feel 3.5 g force in just 45 seconds and an adrenaline rush like no other; this is the coaster for you!
19. Silver Star
The Silver Star is a steel roller coaster located at Europa Park in Rust, Germany. Designed by Mack Rides and opened to the public in 2002, Silver Star is one of the world’s tallest roller coasters, measuring an impressive height of 240 feet.
It also has a stomach-churning drop of 220 feet. In addition to its thrilling speed and height, the Silver Star also features one of the world’s most complex track layouts, with seven inversions!
20. Goliath
Experience the ultimate thrill when you ride Goliath – a steel roller coaster located in California. This heart-pounding attraction takes riders on an electrifying journey of speed and height, reaching 85 mph over 235 feet high with 4.5 g force! Take your breath away as twists and turns deliver an adrenaline rush like no other.
21. Behemoth
Thrill-seekers, look no further than the Behemoth roller coaster at Canada’s Wonderland in Vaughan! This two-minute ride holds nothing back with a maximum height of 230 feet and speeds reaching 90 miles per hour. Its impressive track layout boasts nine intense inversions – so buckle up for an experience like none other!
22. Valravn
Valravn is another steel roller coaster you will find at Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio. It was designed by Bolliger & Mabillard and opened to the public in May 201 and was the tallest, fastest, and longest of its kind in the world.
Valravn reaches a height of 223 feet and has a stomach-churning drop of 214 feet. In addition to its thrilling speed and altitude, the Valravn also features one of the world’s most extended tracks, measuring 3,415 feet long and taking only 2 minutes to finish!
23. Yukon Striker
This roller coaster is located at Canada’s Wonderland and was opened in 2019 – instead of a SkyRider, which was removed from the park in 2014.
Yukon Striker reaches 223 feet in height and a maximum speed of 81mph. The track length is 3625 feet, and the ride lasts about 205 seconds, or a bit more than 3 minutes.
Up to this day, Yukon Striker holds the record for the fastest dive coaster in the world!
24. Superman el Último Escape
When Superman el Último Escape opened in 2004, it took the records for the longest, fastest and tallest roller coaster in Latin America.
The coaster is 200 feet in height, reaches 75mph speed and lasts about 3 minutes.
25. Mr. Freeze: Reverse Blast
Mr. Freeze’s roller coaster is interesting because it has a linear induction motor launch system that accelerates coaster riders from 0mph to 70 mph in just 3.8 seconds!
This roller coaster is created with Robin and Batman theme; the ride starts by entering an old and abandoned ice cream factory, the hideout of Mr. Freeze, just like in the 1997 movie “Batman & Robin”.