A new Twentieth Century Fox World theme park and resort is set to open in Dubai by 2018, with rides and attractions based on the studio's enviable library of hit films and TV shows including "Titanic," "Predator," "Ice Age and "The Simpsons."
Courtesy of Fox
Twentieth Century Fox World (Malaysia) —
The Dubai venture is the second Fox-branded theme park, the first being in partnership with Resorts World Genting. Twentieth Century Fox World, Malaysia, will open in 2016 and feature about 25 rides inspired by movies and TV shows from the Fox archives.
20th Century Fox
"Hunger Games" themed land, Avatron Park (Atlanta, Georgia) —
A "Hunger Games" themed land is slated to open in Dubai in late 2016. In November, Lionsgate announced new themed lands planned for Macau, China, by 2018 and Atlanta, Georgia, by 2019.
Courtesy of Lionsgate and the New York Times
Motiongate (Dubai, UAE) —
The "Hunger Games" themed land will be a key part of the Motiongate Dubai theme park. There will also be experiences inspired by "Ghostbusters" and "Shrek."
Courtesy Dubai Parks and Resorts
Dubai Parks & Resorts (Dubai, UAE) —
Motiongate Dubai is part of Dubai Parks & Resorts, which will also include Legoland Dubai and Bollywood Parks Dubai (pictured).
Courtesy Dubai Parks and Resorts
"Wizarding World of Harry Potter" themed land (Hollywood) —
Universal Studios has also been expanding its movie-based offerings. A new "Wizarding World of Harry Potter" themed land will open at its Hollywood location next spring, following on the heels of similar attractions in Orlando, Florida and Osaka, Japan (pictured).
Universal Studios Japan
Christmas at Harry's place (UK) —
Fancy Christmas at Hogwart's? Too late. An adults-only dinner costing an eye-watering $349) per head -- Warner Bros. Studio Tour London -- sold out soon after being announced in September.
Dave M. Benett/Getty Images
Pandora -- The World of Avatar (Florida) —
In August, "Avatar" director James Cameron revealed details of a new "Avatar" land at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Florida. The centerpiece ride will be a simulated flight through Pandora on the back of a banshee.
Disney
Disney's "Star Wars" lands (Florida and California) —
In August, Disney unveiled plans for upcoming "Star Wars" attractions at Disneyland, California, and at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
Disney/Lucasfilm
Millennium Falcon —
Visitors will get the chance to ride in a Millennium Falcon, drink in a Mos Eisley-style cantina and immerse themselves in an epic battle between the First Order and the Resistance.
Disney/Lucasfilm
"Jaw-dropping new world" —
Disney CEO Bob Iger told the crowd at the company's D23 Expo that the "jaw-dropping new world' will be Disney's "largest, single-themed land expansion ever." No completion date has been announced.
Disney/Lucasfilm
Toy Story Land (Florida) —
Announced in August, the upcoming 11-acre Toy Story Land attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida will include a new roller coaster inspired by Slinky Dog and a spinning flying saucer ride which pays tribute to the claw-machine aliens.
Disney/PIXAR
Shanghai Disneyland (China) —
In July, Disneyland unveiled plans for its upcoming Shanghai Disneyland, which will be the brand's sixth in the world and the third in Asia.
Disney Parks Blog
Opening spring 2016 —
Shanghai Disneyland will feature six themed lands -- Mickey Avenue, Gardens of Imagination, Fantasyland, Adventure Isle, Treasure Cove and Tomorrowland.
Disney Parks Blog
Hello Kitty Park (China) —
Zhejiang Province's Hello Kitty Park opened officially in July, with 11 themed facilities, including performance venues, amusement rides, a luxury resort and a grand Mahjong hall.
Courtesy Hello Kitty Park
Thomas Land (Massachusetts) —
The first American theme park devoted to Thomas the Tank Engine and his locomotive friends opened in Carver, Massachusetts, in August, promising to be a popular attraction with the preschool set.
Paul Marotta/Getty Images North America
IMG Worlds of Adventure (Dubai, UAE) —
IMG Worlds of Adventure's vast indoor theme park will include four zones, including ones dedicated to Cartoon Network and Marvel comic franchises. The site is in the final stages of completion.
Courtesy IMG worlds of Adventure
Timeless China (China) —
Just outside of Beijing, Timeless China (formerly known as Eternity Passage) claims it will be China's first hi-tech amusement park, weaving Chinese history with "technology fantasy". It's currently slated to open in the first half of 2016.
Courtesy IdeAttack
Funtasy Island (Singapore) —
Off the coast of Singapore, Funtasy Island is billed as the "world's largest eco-theme park." Plans include a multi-sensory rainforest, snorkel and scuba zones and an aquarium where visitors can swim with whale sharks. The project is set to soft-launch in early 2016.
Courtesy Funtasy Island Development Pte Ltd
Wanda theme parks (across China) —
Wanda Hefei is one of many theme parks that the Wanda Group is constructing in a bid to compete with Disney in Shanghai and upcoming Universal Beijing. The planned opening is July 2016.
Courtesy Jora Vision
Atlantis Sanya (China) —
Overlooking the South China Sea, Atlantis Sanya will have an Aquaventure Waterpark and marine exhibits. The current opening date is October 2017.
Courtesy Atlantis Sanya
Grand Texas Entertainment District (Texas) —
The 640-acre Grand Texas Entertainment District near Houston will include seven Texas-themed attractions, a motor sports park, sports complex and water park. The opening date has been pushed back to late 2017 or early 2018.
Courtesy Grand Entertainment District
Universal Beijing (China) —
Universal Beijing will blend Chinese cultural heritage with Hollywood movie themes. The complex will feature the first-ever Universal Studios-themed resort hotel. It's scheduled for 2019.
Courtesy Universal Studios Beijing
Paramount London (UK) —
The first-ever heavyweight entertainment franchise resort withing striking distance of the UK capital will have a main entertainment street, water park and sporting facilities. It's slated to open in 2020.
Courtesy Paramount London
Communist Party theme park (China) —
Had enough of all these capitalist theme parks? In September, a Communist Party theme park dedicated to the party's homegrown heroes opened in Wuhan, capital city of the central Hubei province.
ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images
Dismaland (UK) —
2015 was also the year of street artist Banksy's "bemusement park" Dismaland in Weston-super-Mare, England. A satirical swipe at Disneyland, the pop-up art project featured the work of 58 artists, including Bansky himself.