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Qiddiya Investment Company, Six Flags Sign Management Services Agreement to Operate 2 Parks

Qiddiya Investment Company, Six Flags Sign Management Services Agreement to Operate 2 Parks
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Qiddiya Investment Company, Six Flags Sign Management Services Agreement to Operate 2 Parks

Qiddiya Investment Company, Six Flags Sign Management Services Agreement to Operate 2 Parks

Qiddya Investment Company announced on Monday that it has signed a comprehensive Management Services Agreement under which Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, North America’s largest regional amusement-resort operator, will serve as the official operator for Six Flags Qiddiya City and Aquarabia Water Theme Park.

Under the agreement, Six Flags will bring its unparalleled management expertise, operational excellence and strategic insight to provide operational support for both parks in Qiddiya City. Upon its planned opening in late 2025, Six Flags Qiddiya City is set to become the thrill-seekers’ ultimate playground, with 28 rides and attractions, including the world’s tallest, fastest and longest roller coaster, Falcons Flight.

Adjacent to Six Flags Qiddiya City and also planning to open in late 2025, Aquarabia Water Theme Park will make a splash with 22 state-of-the-art water rides and attractions, including the world’s tallest water coaster and the world’s tallest double-loop water slide. The water park will welcome guests to eight themed areas, including Surftopia, featuring Saudi Arabia’s first surf pool. Together, these attractions will set a new standard for family-friendly entertainment in the region.

"We are excited to collaborate with Six Flags as we take Qiddiya City to the next level," said Abdullah Al Dawood, Managing Director of Qiddiya Investment Company. "Their expertise will help us create memorable experiences that resonate with residents and visitors while contributing to Saudi Arabia’s cultural and economic growth as part of Vision 2030."

"This operational agreement represents an important step forward," said Selim Bassoul, Executive Chairman of Six Flags. "We are committed to supporting Qiddiya’s vision by creating high-quality experiences that engage and inspire visitors of all ages."

Qiddiya City forms an integral part of Saudi Vision 2030, a bold initiative to diversify the economy and establish the Kingdom as a global leader in tourism. The ambitious project represents a multi-billion-dollar investment to drive economic growth, create job opportunities, and attract millions of visitors annually. As a testament to Qiddiya’s commitments, both parks are set to create thousands of jobs, nurturing local talent and enhancing the attractions industry within the Kingdom.

Under the agreement, Brian Machamer, President of Six Flags Qiddiya City and Aquarabia Water Theme Park since 2019, will continue leading the operations of both parks. With Six Flags’ operational expertise and Qiddiya’s visionary leadership, Six Flags Qiddiya City and Aquarabia Water Theme Park will serve as benchmarks for a new era in Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector, offering unforgettable experiences that celebrate innovation, culture, and reflecting the transformative potential of the Power of Play.

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Entertainment

‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Wins Best Animated Feature Oscar

Maggie Kang, from left, Chris Appelhans, and Michelle L.M. Wong, winners of the award for animated feature film for "K-pop Demon Hunters," pose in the press room at the Oscars on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Maggie Kang, from left, Chris Appelhans, and Michelle L.M. Wong, winners of the award for animated feature film for "K-pop Demon Hunters," pose in the press room at the Oscars on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
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‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Wins Best Animated Feature Oscar

Maggie Kang, from left, Chris Appelhans, and Michelle L.M. Wong, winners of the award for animated feature film for "K-pop Demon Hunters," pose in the press room at the Oscars on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Maggie Kang, from left, Chris Appelhans, and Michelle L.M. Wong, winners of the award for animated feature film for "K-pop Demon Hunters," pose in the press room at the Oscars on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

“KPop Demon Hunters” won the Oscar for best animated feature on Sunday, capping a record-breaking run after becoming Netflix’s most-watched film ever on its 2025 debut.

"For those of you who look like me, I'm so sorry that it took us so long to see us in a movie like this, but it is here," Reuters quoted director Maggie Kang ⁠as saying on stage. ⁠She said the win was for Korea and for Koreans everywhere.

The action-packed feature was also nominated for best original song for “Golden,” written by EJAE and Mark Sonnenblick. The film follows Huntrix — Rumi, Mira and Zoey — ⁠a global KPop girl group who juggle superstardom with their secret lives as demon hunters.

The animated musical fantasy previously swept major awards, winning best animated feature and best song at the 31st Critics Choice Awards and best animated motion picture and best original song at the 83rd Golden Globes.

Animated by Sony Pictures Animation, the Netflix hit also earned a Grammy ⁠for ⁠best song written for visual media, marking the first-ever Grammy win for a KPop song.

Directed by Kang and Chris Appelhans, the film’s soundtrack has trended worldwide. In a January 2026 press its most-watched title over a six-month period with 482 million views and 32 million views for the film's lyric videos.

Other nominees in the best animated feature category included “Zootopia 2,” “Arco,” “Little Amélie or the Character of Rain" and "Elio."

Entertainment

With Oscar Race Locked, Actresses Celebrate Backstage Anyway

Emma Stone spent some of the Oscars in the bar on the ground floor, a well known spot to mingle with the people who matter in Hollywood. ANGELA WEISS / AFP
Emma Stone spent some of the Oscars in the bar on the ground floor, a well known spot to mingle with the people who matter in Hollywood. ANGELA WEISS / AFP
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With Oscar Race Locked, Actresses Celebrate Backstage Anyway

Emma Stone spent some of the Oscars in the bar on the ground floor, a well known spot to mingle with the people who matter in Hollywood. ANGELA WEISS / AFP
Emma Stone spent some of the Oscars in the bar on the ground floor, a well known spot to mingle with the people who matter in Hollywood. ANGELA WEISS / AFP

At an Oscars full of nerve-shreddingly tight races, best actress was one of Sunday night's few entirely predictable categories.

Pundits were -- correctly -- unanimous that Jessie Buckley would win for her tear-jerking turn as William Shakespeare's wife in "Hamnet."

But that did not stop her rival nominees enjoying the night -- if anything, they were the life and soul of the party.

Emma Stone, a two-time best actress winner already, spent much of the ceremony happily chatting backstage with friends and admirers in the theater's most exclusive lobby.

"The bar is the place!" Stone, nominated for her role in conspiracy theory thriller "Bugonia," told AFP.

Indeed, while the Oscars are being handed out in the adjoining theater, the Dolby Theater's ground-floor bar is renowned as a free-flowing gossip, networking and champagne spot for the industry's movers and shakers.

Stone jokingly admitted she wasn't sure exactly how many Academy Awards she'd attended, but by now knew where to wait for her category to come up.

For Norwegian actress Renate Reinsve, it was a second trip to Hollywood's top awards show, but a first as an acting nominee.

She came to the Oscars four years ago for best foreign film contender "The Worst Person in the World," but was personally recognized this time for "Sentimental Value."

"It's so much more chill this time -- this time I actually know people!" she told AFP.

Moments later, she effusively greeted Pedro Pascal like an old friend. He promptly stepped on her toe as they embraced and profusely apologized, to mutual laughter.

After her fellow supporting actor and actress nominees had missed out in their early categories, the film's Norwegian team gathered at the bar again with their plus ones.

"Last time I couldn't bring a guest. This time, I got to bring my sister," the Norwegian star added.

Reinsve predictably lost best actress, but the whole gang took to the stage as "Sentimental Value" won best international film.

"It's about a very dysfunctional family, and it's the opposite of what I felt of this beautiful group behind me," said director Joachim Trier, from the stage.

'Exciting'

This year, the Oscars bar's raucous chatter was muted temporarily by the moving tribute to Rob Reiner and the start of the "In Memoriam" section honoring Hollywood legends who died this year.

There was spontaneous applause when Catherine O'Hara, star most recently of Hollywood satire "The Studio," was shown on screens.

Inside the theater, wins for "Sinners" consistently drew the loudest cheers from the in-person audience, with even those in the nosebleed seats rising to a standing ovation when Michael B. Jordan won best actor.

"It's so much more chill this time -- this time I actually know people!" she told AFP.

Moments later, she effusively greeted Pedro Pascal like an old friend. He promptly stepped on her toe as they embraced and profusely apologized, to mutual laughter.

After her fellow supporting actor and actress nominees had missed out in their early categories, the film's Norwegian team gathered at the bar again with their plus ones.

"Last time I couldn't bring a guest. This time, I got to bring my sister," the Norwegian star added.

Reinsve predictably lost best actress, but the whole gang took to the stage as "Sentimental Value" won best international film.

"It's about a very dysfunctional family, and it's the opposite of what I felt of this beautiful group behind me," said director Joachim Trier, from the stage.

'Exciting'

This year, the Oscars bar's raucous chatter was muted temporarily by the moving tribute to Rob Reiner and the start of the "In Memoriam" section honoring Hollywood legends who died this year.

There was spontaneous applause when Catherine O'Hara, star most recently of Hollywood satire "The Studio," was shown on screens.

Inside the theater, wins for "Sinners" consistently drew the loudest cheers from the in-person audience, with even those in the nosebleed seats rising to a standing ovation when Michael B. Jordan won best actor.

Entertainment

‘Hoppers’ Tops N. America Box Office for 2nd Straight Week

Jon Hamm. (Getty Images for Disney)
Jon Hamm. (Getty Images for Disney)
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‘Hoppers’ Tops N. America Box Office for 2nd Straight Week

Jon Hamm. (Getty Images for Disney)
Jon Hamm. (Getty Images for Disney)

"Hoppers," the latest original animated film from Disney's Pixar, maintained its position atop the North American box office with $28.5 million in ticket sales in its second weekend, industry estimates showed Sunday.

The adventure comedy, which tells the story of young animal lover Mabel who uses technology to transfer her consciousness into a robotic beaver so she can better communicate and protect wildlife, has now pulled in $165 million worldwide, according to Exhibitor Relations.

The voice cast features Meryl Streep, Jon Hamm, Kathy Najimy and Piper Curda as Mabel.

Debuting at number two was Universal's romance "Reminders of Him," based on the novel by Colleen Hoover and starring Maika Monroe and Tyriq Withers. It earned $18.2 million in the United States and Canada.

"This is an excellent opening for an original romance picture, at well above average levels for the genre," wrote analyst David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research.

Another new arrival, the horror flick "Undertone" distributed by A24, came in third, with $9.3 million in ticket sales.

The it's-coming-from-inside-the-house scare-fest, complete with a deeply unsettling soundscape, narrowly bested the latest in an iconic series of the genre, "Scream 7."

Paramount's new installment in the 30-year-old slasher series, featuring yet another Ghostface killer, held onto fourth position earning $8.3 million, for a global three-week total of $176.5 million.

Sony's family-friendly animated film "GOAT" -- the story of an undersized domesticated mammal who wants to join a basketball-like "roarball" team -- in its fifth week slipped one spot to fifth, at $4.7 million, and $162.5 million globally.