Superman: Escape from Krypton

Superman: Escape from Krypton, originally known as Superman: The Escape, was a steel shuttle roller coaster located at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California. At the time of its opening in 1997, it was the tallest roller coaster in the world, a title which it lost to Top Thrill Dragster in 2003. Its maximum speed of 100 mph (160 km/h) was tied for the fastest with Tower of Terror II, a similar roller coaster which opened two months earlier at Dreamworld in Australia. Both were the first to utilize Linear Synchronous Motor (LSM) launch technology to propel vehicles, although the intended opening date in 1996 at Magic Mountain was postponed due to issues with the launch system.

Superman: The Escape closed in late 2010 for refurbishment, and it re-opened in 2011 as Superman: Escape from Krypton. The refurbished ride introduced a new train design, a backward-facing ride experience, and a new color scheme. On March 28, 2025, the park confirmed the ride is permanently closed, however the ride is currently standing-but-not-operating (SBNO) and the tower structure remains in place.

During early planning, Six Flags Magic Mountain considered building a new roller coaster named Velocetron themed to The Man of Steel comic book series. Ultimately, the name Superman: The Escape was chosen, and the ride was announced on January 5, 1996. It would surpass Desperado and Phantom's Revenge to become the fastest roller coaster in the world and the first to reach 100 mph (160 km/h).

Superman: The Escape was designed by Swiss manufacturer Intamin, and construction began in late 1995. During the final stages, the last section of track was installed at the ride's highest point on May 3, 1996. Originally, the ride was scheduled to open on June 1, 1996, but it was delayed due to troubles with the launch system. In late 1996, there was a preview for season pass holders. After 10 months of testing and reengineering, the ride opened on March 15, 1997. Upon opening, it was recognized as the fastest roller coaster in the world. However, its delayed opening allowed Tower of Terror, which also reaches 100 mph (160 km/h), to open earlier at Dreamworld in Australia. Although tied with Tower of Terror as the fastest roller coaster in the world, Superman became the first to exceed 400 feet (120 m) in height and opened as the tallest roller coaster in the world.

By early 1999, the ride remained closed for maintenance. After new brake fins were installed, one side reopened in late February. On March 22, 1999, Six Flags Magic Mountain announced that Superman: The Escape was fully operating with both sides running.

In June 2004, Superman: The Escape's seat belts were modified because of an incident on the Superman – Ride of Steel roller coaster at Six Flags New England. California State Regulators asked the park to make modifications to the rides' restraint systems to prevent a similar incident in the future.

Just after July 4 weekend of 2010, Superman: The Escape ceased operations with no reason given. A sign posted in front of the ride indicated that it would not reopen until the 2011 season, with hints that there would be improvements made to the ride experience. After Superman: The Escape's sister ride, the Tower of Terror II at Dreamworld, underwent a major refurbishment in 2010 which entailed a new vehicle that launched backward, speculation turned to the possibility of a similar modification to the Magic Mountain ride. Six Flags Magic Mountain officials quickly denied rumors that it would receive a Bizarro re-theming, similar to roller coasters at other Six Flags parks.

On October 20, 2010, Six Flags Magic Mountain officially announced the refurbishment and re-theming of Superman: The Escape, in addition to the construction of two new roller coasters. As part of the refurbishment, the ride was renamed to Superman: Escape from Krypton and featured new backward launching cars and a new color scheme. The upgraded ride reopened to the public on March 19, 2011.