COVID-19 closed down many of the world’s wildest theme parks. As you start on your out-of-lockdown plans, which of the wildest rides might you pick? 2020 and 2021 turned the world upside down. How about riding The Smiler, the ride with the highest number of inversions? Or if the pandemic came out of the dark, how about the glow-in-the-dark ride at Knott’s Berry Farm? Here is the official list of the world’s 40 wildest roller coasters. Read and get ready to scream.
1. Formula Rossa - Ferrari World, United Arab Emirates
Were you thinking of speed? This luxurious ride will have you clenching the front of its stylish seats. When it opened in 2010, Formula Rossa became the world’s fastest rollercoaster. In five seconds, the ride shoots its riders from zero to 240 k
The ride is so fast that you must wear safety glasses. Either that or you risk getting an insect stuck to your eyelid. So you should probably keep your mouth closed too!
2. Kingda Ka — Six Flags Great Adventure, USA
Do you know how it feels to fall 45 stories in the open air? Kingda Ka, the world’s tallest roller coaster, makes sure you understand what extreme height does to your body.
Built in 2005, Kingda Ka takes you from 0 to 206 km/hr in less than 3.5 seconds. Since then, the ride has been struck by lightning and survived hurricanes! But that will not stop the thrill-seekers like yourself from climbing onto its U-shaped hump.
3. Takabisha — Fuji-Q Highland, Japan
The next one on our list of wildest roller coasters takes us all the way to Japan. When it opened in 2011, the ride became the world’s steepest roller coaster. With a 121-degree fall, Takabisha will keep you looking for your compass.
Besides its angles, the ride goes through seven inversions, reaching speeds of 100 km/h in just two seconds! The ride might not be a reason to go to Japan, but once you’re there, you might as well embrace the wild side.
4. The Beast - King’s Island, USA
Looking for wind? This $3.2 million rollercoaster will be the fastest and longest ride you will ever need. At 104.3 km/h, The Beast goes through 2.2 km of track. The wind will keep coming as our eyes dart through the lush scenery.
If that isn’t wild enough, The Beast is also the world’s tallest wooden roller coaster with a drop of 43 meters! Let's try not to eat beforehand. If you do, you can turn your heads away from the person beside us. There will be no splashes in the wooden landscape.
5. Fury 325 - Carowinds, USA
Through bridges, camelback hills, and high-speed turns, Fury 325 will hurl us across its 2,012-meter track. One of the tallest roller coasters, let's try to keep it together as we plunge 99 meters down at a speed of 153 km/h!
And if we feel like boasting, we can say we have been to the world’s best steel roller coaster. Fury 325 won Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Award four years in a row! Not many roller coasters can pull that off.
6. Smiler - Alton Towers, United Kingdom.
Never had a chance to learn grammar inversions? At the Smiler, the ride will be our teacher. Its wild turns will ensure we always remember what an inversion feels like.
Since 2013, the Smiler has been the ride with the biggest number of inversions in the world. In just three minutes, we can loop 14 times! This might be the only opportunity to study the floor closely. Upside down, is the Earth still flat?
7. Wickerman - Alton Towers, United Kingdom.
Wood burns. But that did not stop a bunch of crazy engineers from putting a fire show in the middle of a wooden roller coaster.
In 2018, the UK built its first wooden ride in 22 years. The $21-million-project was meant as a ritual. With video projectors, sound effects, and that crazy fire show, are we ready to join the Wickerman ritual? Let's make a promise: rather than chant, let us scream.
8. Wonder Woman Golden Lasso - Six Flags Fiesta Texas, USA
Did you see the latest Wonder Woman film? How about you ride the latest, and only, Wonder Woman ride? If you've done neither, you can always do both.
With 90-degree drops and 180-degree turns, we will be riding through the curves of Wonder Woman’s lasso. The Wonder Woman Golden Lasso is also one of the only single-rail roller coasters in the world. Forget the two rails that go under most roller coasters! Here, we will ride the edge, literally.
9. HangTime - Knott’s Berry Farm, USA
Have you ever dreamt of a glow-in-the-dark roller coaster? Or maybe you dreamt of riding a fluorescent, green dragon? If you didn’t, it doesn’t matter. HangTime at Knott’s Berry Farm will give you both dreams anyway.
Beyond the lights, the steel ride features a 96-degree drop, five inversions, and negative g-force. If that seems scary, perk up. The night will shadow our terrified faces.
10. Time Traveler - Silver Dollar City, USA
Your future self will recommend it, so journey through time in this spinning roller coaster. Built with $26 million, Time Traveler became the steepest, fastest, and tallest complete-circuit spinning roller coaster in the world.
But the ride is more than its records. Set within a fictional backstory, the ride will take us through lush landscapes, rocky ridges, and open skies. With its magnetic brakes, the wilderness will also be comfortable. Sometimes, we need such comfort for our manic adventures.
11. Sky Scream - Holiday Park, Germany
At Sky Scream in Germany, we will be going through loops, vertical twists, horizontal twists, and some of the weirdest twists no other roller coaster has seen. Even the most-skilled dancer can’t do as many twists. Believe me, they have tried.
Whether riding at a height of 46 meters or going at speeds of 100 km/h, we do not need to worry. We can always scream and scream we will.
12. Colossos - Heide Park, Germany
Germany knows how to produce wild roller coasters. Colossos is no exception. With a drop of 50 meters and speeds of 110 km/hr, the 1.3 km of track will keep us hollering for more.
Closed for a 12-million-euro make-over, the ride opened back up in 2019. Packed with a full-fire show, the ride will definitely set the stage for our wild lives. Hopefully, though, our lives do not get so many downhills.
13. Alpine Coaster - Glacier 3000, Switzerland
How about a roller coaster in the middle of a snowy landscape? How about staring at the Alpes at sunset? How about 520-degree circles, 3 jumps, and 10 curves?
This Alpine Coaster in Switzerland is also the highest alpine coaster in the world. So even if we can’t sing like Elsa in Frozen, we might be able to scream like her.
14. Hair Raiser - Ocean Park, Hong Kong
Ever in Hong Kong? The Hair Raiser will take us to the top of Hong Kong’s rockiest cliff. From there, we will see the farthest reaches of the ocean. But the calmness of the sea will be short-lived. Once the ride launches us forward, we can only brace for impact.
With brake runs, drops, loops, and four inversions, the ride will spin us above the South China Sea. Did I mention the ride is also floorless? Yes, our feet will dangle over the tracks. Like the cliff over the ocean, we'll hang over the floor.
15. DC Rivals Hypercoaster - Warner Bros. Movie World, Australia
Ever heard of a hypercoaster? The term is only used for rides with a height above 61 meters. DC Rivals will take us to those heights.
Considered the Southern Hemisphere’s longest, tallest, and fastest roller coaster, that pit in our stomachs will not disappear. And if we don’t feel the knot in our stomach, we can ride DC rivals in reverse. How’s that for wild?!
16. Silver Bullet - Knott’s Berry Farm, USA
Open up your dictionary and search for a vertical loop, cobra roll, zero-g roll, and corkscrew. You can also close the dictionary and experience these inversions yourself.
At Silver Bullet, you’ll get tossed, turned, and blasted through 952 meters of track in two and a half minutes. But this is only one ride at the wild Knott’s Berry Farm.
17. Scream - Six Flags Magic Mountain, USA
Are we looking at the sky? Or is that the floor 14 stories down? At Scream, we can't tell the difference. The ride is floorless. This means that our nice, little toes will not sit on nice, cushioned metal. Our feet will dangle. Hopefully, our shoes don't fall.
It gets better. This floorless ride will keep us spinning at 101 km/h through seven inversions, zero-g rolls, and interlocking corkscrews. Don’t worry, as the title of this ride suggests: we are expected to scream.
18. The Giant Drop - Dreamworld, Australia
We expect a giant drop, and we get a giant drop! For fourteen years, The Giant Drop at Dreamworld was the tallest drop tower in the world. At 119 meters or 36 stories, we will wonder whatever got us thinking, "Hey, this ride is a good idea."
At 119 meters, our bodies will go into a free-fall. In a few seconds, we will experience 135 km/h speeds and 3.5 Gs of force. Hey, at least we had a pretty view while going up!
19. West Coast Racers - Six Flags Magic Mountain, USA
How about a duel? One of the newest rides on this list, West Coast Racers launches two cars at the same time and keeps them twisting, inverting, and jumping over each other.
If our friends do on the dueling ride, chances are we will see their screaming faces thirty times. 30 is the number of times our rides intersect! But at zero-g rolls, zero-g stalls, and 89 km/h, who can keep count?
20. Superman and Lex Luthor - Six Flags Magic Mountain, USA
Continuing with our double rides, Superman and Lex Luthor fight side by side. Both champions to previous world records, the former tallest and fastest rides are going head to head.
In this wild pairing, we will hear the racing rollercoaster launching at 160km/h through its tracks as our body brace for a free-fall 36 stories down.
21. Nitro - Imagicaa, India
Beyond a huge population, India boasts some of the biggest rides out there. Nitra, at 40 meters high will shoot you through 850 meters at 104.9 km/h. Through five inversions, 180-degree downward turns, and zero-gravity rolls, the ride is a test of our sanity.
Like other wild rides on our list, Nitro is also floorless. This means our feet will dangle as we twist, turn, and dive through an Indian jungle. Hopefully, it is not monsoon season.
22. Fujiyama - Fuji-Q Highland, Japan
When we talk about insane rides, Fujiyama is one of them. Formerly known as the world’s tallest roller coaster, this 24-story structure will have us drop 70 meters at a speed of 130 km/h.
Even if we don't like to drop, we might come for the view. Sitting at the base of Mount Fuji, the ride is sure to inspire a future Hokusai. So let's grab our brushes and hold on tight.
23. Hyperion - Energylandia, Poland
Ever wondered what happens when we enter a black hole? How about discovering planet Earth’s twin? Poland’s tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster might not provide a definitive answer. However, crafting a theme about space-exploration is just the right fit.
With 80-meter drops, 142 km/h speeds, and 4.8Gs of force, the ride might be the closest we ever get to an astronaut's blast off. After the ride, you'd be able to say, "Hey mom, I never got to the moon, but here's a picture of my screaming face."
24. Taron - Phantasialand, Germany
Yet another German rollercoaster tops our list. This time, Taron comes with the title of the world’s fastest and longest multi-launched roller coaster. First launching at 80 km/h and then at 117 km/h, we will never know what’s coming. Never mind, I just told you what is coming.
If those records were not enough, Taron also boasts the highest intersecting track points out of any roller coaster in the world. We might lose the count after the first 50 intersections, though.
25. FireWhip - Beto Carrero World, Brazil
In the southern hemisphere, the rides don’t get any less scary. Brazil’s FireWhip will toss us through 670 meters of track as we invert five times in rollovers, sidewinders, and double in-line twists.
The floorless design is perfect for this ride. As our body repositions itself in space, we can spot waterfalls and lakes. Talk about breathtaking views and unexplored perspectives.
26. ICON - Blackpool Pleasure Beach, UK
If a giant ever played with a steel rope and left it tangled on the floor, ICON would be the rope. And if we ever thought, "Here's a way to scream," ICON would be our choice.
The first double-launch roller coaster in the UK, ICON weaves through fifteen different roller coaster rides at 85 km/h. Through S-curves, incline-loops, and banked turns, the ride will leave us thinking, “Did the giant hear me scream?"
27. Helix - Liseberg, Sweden
Thinking of doing things virtually? Helix is the first roller coaster with a virtual reality replica. But that is not what makes it wild. Helix’s 1,381 meters of track features seven inversions at speeds of 100 km/h. How about a 12-story loop?
As the picture shows, winter is surely coming. So let us clench our teeth and fight for that joyful scream. What better way to see the Swedish urban scenery?
28. Shock - Rainbow Magicland, Italy
Thinking of Rome? How about taking a detour a couple of miles out? Although we can't promise any romances, you will have an experience you will never forget.
In just two seconds, we will shoot from 0 to 100 km/h. Through cork-screws, overbanked curves, and deep dives, the ride will take us through ponds and the Italian countryside. At the end of it, Shock might even whisper, "call me by your name."
29. Colossus - Thorpe Park, UK
Yes, this ride is also called Colossus. But this metallic, swirling monster comes all the way from the United Kingdom. Unlike it's German friend, Colossus #2's spinning might open a portal to another dimension. If it does, we might ring Shakespeare and ask him, "any advice for a rollercoaster name?"
Formerly known as the roller coaster with the highest number of inversions, Colossus will also take us on cobra rolls, corkscrews, vertical loops, and heartline rolls. You are still unsure what these names mean? Don’t worry. Your body will never forget their names.
30. SkyCycle - Washuzan Highland Park, Japan
Roller coasters come in all shapes and sizes. SkyCycle proves the point. Labeled as the world’s most eco-friendly roller coaster, the ride will go as fast as your feet can pedal.
If that is not wild enough for you, how about dangling 180 meters in the open air? Please note,180 meters is half an Empire State building. So let's try not to look down. And if you snap a selfie, we've always wondered if Siri can fly.
31. Shweeb - Agroventures, New Zealand
Keeping with the green agenda, the next roller coaster on the list is also pedal-powered. But unlike Sky Cycle, Shweeb can take you up to 50 km/h.
So let's grab a friend or partner and race through the New Zealand farmland. Although we might not see a Hobbit, we can boast we competed on the only human-powered monorail racetrack in the whole kingdom.
32. Twisted Colossus - Six Flags Magic Mountain, USA
This is the third roller coaster in our list with the name "Colossus." When it opened, Twister Colossus became the fastest and tallest roller coaster in the world. At 92 km/h and 37 meters in height, Twister Colossus is no match for other rides on our list. But it opened in 1978! This Colossus is a mighty roller coaster grandpa.
After it was renovated in 2015, the ride’s engineering team added steel. Now, the ride will take us through two inversions, 80-degree vertical angles, and an additional 70 seconds of pure, joyful screaming.
33. Top Thrill Dragster - Cedar Point, USA
With a $25 million budget, the team at Cedar Point went wild. At 190 km/h, Top Thrill Dragster will plunge us 120 meters into stomach-rolling 90-degree angle heaven.
Although the ride only lasts 30 seconds, we would be surprised if anyone could handle more. But maybe we can handle more. The good thing about roller coaster rides: how many times you ride depends on you, and the money in your wallet...
34. Krake - Heide Park, Germany
Krake is our final ride from Germany. As befits Krake, German for “octopus,” the track’s tentacles will have us spinning, falling, and looping through its steel track. This beast has more than eight tentacles, though. At the twenty-second-mark, we will easily lose count, "1, 2, 3, 19, 30..."
Also, the ride will literally leave a splash. So close your mouth because this 102 km/h roller coaster will take an 87-degree dive straight into a pond. Don’t worry, the ride is the only monster in the water pond. Still, this German monster is scary.
35. Zadra - Energylandia, Poland
Thinking of buying a hybrid car? How about riding a hybrid roller coaster? Zadra’s designers hammered steel tracks onto wooden supports. From a tame beast, they built a colossal transformer.
But the designers did not sacrifice mass for speed. At 121 km/h, the ride will sweep us through inversions, 90-degree angles, and plenty of deep dives. Hybrid or not, this is a wild roller coaster. And like it or not, our bodies will feel its 4Gs of force.
36. Hakugei - Nagashima Spa Land, Japan
Recently refurbished into steel, Hakugei will keep us zooming through its tracks. The ride’s 107 km/hr speed and 55-meter height will take us to the coasts of Japan. We will never see such a pretty view from so many different heights.
The whirls will make us feel as if we are stuck inside a cyclone. The feeling is only natural: before its renovation, the ride was called White Cyclone. But let’s not reminisce about the past. Past or present still have us screaming.
37. Taiga - Linnanmäki , Finland
Talk about national treasures. Taiga is Finland's tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster. It’s bright blue tracks will not disappoint us. Built with sweeping turns, zero-g winders, and S-bends, Taiga will weave us into the wild.
At 52-meter heights, we will catch sight of the city nearby. Like the eagle emblazoned on the roller coaster’s design, we should take in the view before we dive at 106 km/h speeds. Maybe the eagle is not as wild as that.
38. El Toro, Six Flags Great Adventures, USA
Feeling eclectic? El Toro is a multicultural beast. The ride was designed by a Swiss company in the Mexican section of an American park.
But whatever the history, its wild tracks won’t disappoint. The ride will hurl us at 110 km/h, drop us 54 meters, and keep us screaming for 1,300 meters more. After that, we can give the Swiss company a call and say, "Amigos, you are loco!"
39. Untamed - Walibi Holland, Netherlands
Feeling extra wild? Untamed opened two years ago in the Netherlands. The ride’s five inversions and 14 air-time moments will spike us through 1,085 meters of track at 92 km/h.
Because visiting the Netherlands is more than going to Amsterdam or the windmills. Get ready for 270-degree double inverting stalls and step-up under flips. Maak je klaar!
40. Eejanaika - Fuji-Q Highland , Japan
The last ride on our list takes us to the fourth dimension. The world’s second 4th Dimension roller coaster, Eejanaika spins the screamers independent of the track's orientation.
If that is not enough to scare us, how about spinning at 126 km/h, with three track inversions, 14 seat inversions, and heights of 76 meters. We could keep going, but the ride will speak for itself.