The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

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The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

PG-13

Released Aug 21, 2013

2h 10m

Fantasy

Action

Adventure

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13%

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126 Reviews

58%

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50,000+ Ratings

In New York City, a seemingly ordinary teenager named Clary Fray (Lily Collins) learns that she is descended from a line of Shadowhunters -- half-angel warriors who protect humanity from evil forces. After her mother (Lena Headey) disappears, Clary joins forces with a group of Shadowhunters and enters Downworld, an alternate realm filled with demons, vampires and a host of other creatures. Clary and her companions must find and protect an ancient cup that holds the key to her mother's future.

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Critics Consensus

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones borrows ingredients from seemingly every fantasy franchise of the last 30 years -- but can't seem to figure out what to do with them.

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Perri Nemiroff

Shockya.com

'The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones' might reduce plans for the sequel to ashes.

Rated: 2/5

Aug 24, 2013

Full Review

Louis Black

Austin Chronicle

Not only have we seen this all before, but we were probably hoping to not see it again.

Rated: 1.5/5

Aug 23, 2013

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Donald Clarke

Irish Times

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones is such a pathetic mess you end up feeling a little sorry for the poor mite.

Rated: 1/5

Aug 23, 2013

Full Review

Amanda the Jedi

Amanda the Jedi (Youtube)

The one thing this movie managed to do was capture the visual style I felt the book conveyed but otherwise we were left with something that neither fans, critics or general audiences were particularly impressed by

Jul 4, 2021

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

This is one incredibly mixed-up, poorly planned, annoyingly-plotted mess.

Rated: 2/10

Dec 3, 2020

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Screenwriter Jessica Postigo serves up a script that feels like a working draft.

Rated: 1.5/4.0

Sep 17, 2020

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Melissa W

I absolutely loved this movie. First time seeing it in 2024 and now I’m left wanting to watch more. I think they should reconsider and bring it back.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/21/24

Full Review

Audience Member

I liked the movie and definitely want to see more. I think it was a good movie the acting was great which made the movie 100x better and I want to know how everything play out!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/04/24

Full Review

Daniela K

I love this film and have never understood why there have never been any sequels. But unfortunately that's the way it is with the film world today, no more risks are taken. Jamie Campbell Bower is definitely brilliant as Jace.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/13/24

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Audience Member

Need the second one to come out!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/10/24

Full Review

David S

It was bad. Really bad. Nonsensical storyline and plots rushed along at breakneck speeds in order to get to the next fight scene. The only good thing I could say is not all of the acting was terrible.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

08/23/24

Full Review

ben j

If you peel away the lack of budget and remember that this was in the early 2010s it was a really engaging movie that is trying to set up a large world in a short amount of time would definitely watch again and wouldn't be completely opposed to a remake with a budget similar to a marvel TV show

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/21/24

Full Review

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Harald Zwart

Director

Lily Collins

Clary Fray

Jamie Campbell Bower

Jace Wayland

Robert Sheehan

Simon Lewis

Kevin Zegers

Alec Lightwood

Lena Headey

Jocelyn Fray

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The Mortal Instruments: Official Clip - You Aren't My Dad

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The Mortal Instruments: Official Clip - Demonic Psychic

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The Mortal Instruments: Official Clip - Fighting for the Card

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The Mortal Instruments: Official Clip - I'm In Love With You

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The Mortal Instruments: Official Clip - Flamethrower vs. Demons

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The Mortal Instruments: Official Clip - Anti-Demon Rune

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The Mortal Instruments: Official Clip - Vampire Attack

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The Mortal Instruments: Official Clip - A Kiss in the Rain

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The Mortal Instruments: Official Clip - Jace's Secret

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The Mortal Instruments: Official Clip - Demon Dog

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2014 GLAAD Media Awards Winners

Parental Guidance: On DVD The Wolverine, Smurfs 2 and The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

Parental Guidance: Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

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Synopsis

In New York City, a seemingly ordinary teenager named Clary Fray (Lily Collins) learns that she is descended from a line of Shadowhunters -- half-angel warriors who protect humanity from evil forces. After her mother (Lena Headey) disappears, Clary joins forces with a group of Shadowhunters and enters Downworld, an alternate realm filled with demons, vampires and a host of other creatures. Clary and her companions must find and protect an ancient cup that holds the key to her mother's future.

Director: Harald Zwart
Producer: Robert Kulzer, Don Carmody
Screenwriter: Jessica Postigo
Distributor: Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: Constantin Film International, Unique Features
Rating: PG-13 (Intense Fantasy Violence|Intense Action|Some Suggestive Content)
Genre: Fantasy, Action, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 21, 2013, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 18, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $31.2M
Runtime: 2h 10m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, Datasat

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