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The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

Play trailer Poster for The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones PG-13 Released Aug 21, 2013 2h 10m Fantasy Action Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
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13% Tomatometer 126 Reviews 58% Popcornmeter 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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The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Taylor J Literally the best movie I’ve seen in a long time compared to all of the other movies this is a great movie to watch Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/10/24 Full Review Allie C As a teen who loves watches movies I don't know why this movie is rated so low, one of my favourite it is the movie I always come back to, I only wish the sequel was finished as we were all left on such a cliff hanger. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/26/24 Full Review Read all reviews
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

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Cast & Crew

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

The Mortal Instruments: Official Clip - You Aren't My Dad The Mortal Instruments: Official Clip - You Aren't My Dad 2:50 The Mortal Instruments: Official Clip - Demonic Psychic The Mortal Instruments: Official Clip - Demonic Psychic 2:38 The Mortal Instruments: Official Clip - Fighting for the Card The Mortal Instruments: Official Clip - Fighting for the Card 1:28 The Mortal Instruments: Official Clip - I'm In Love With You The Mortal Instruments: Official Clip - I'm In Love With You 2:46 The Mortal Instruments: Official Clip - Flamethrower vs. Demons The Mortal Instruments: Official Clip - Flamethrower vs. Demons 1:57 The Mortal Instruments: Official Clip - Anti-Demon Rune The Mortal Instruments: Official Clip - Anti-Demon Rune 3:07 The Mortal Instruments: Official Clip - Vampire Attack The Mortal Instruments: Official Clip - Vampire Attack 3:52 The Mortal Instruments: Official Clip - A Kiss in the Rain The Mortal Instruments: Official Clip - A Kiss in the Rain 3:25 The Mortal Instruments: Official Clip - Jace's Secret The Mortal Instruments: Official Clip - Jace's Secret 2:17 The Mortal Instruments: Official Clip - Demon Dog The Mortal Instruments: Official Clip - Demon Dog 2:23 View more videos
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Movie Info

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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