The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

"There is a world hidden within our own."

2013 2h 10m EN

😐

6.4

MID

★6.4TMDB · 4,715

FantasyActionMystery

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

In New York City, Clary Fray, a seemingly ordinary teenager, learns that she is descended from a line of Shadowhunters — half-angel warriors who protect humanity from evil forces. After her mother 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.

“There is a world hidden within our own.”

WhatsApp X Facebook Telegram

Where to watch · US

NetflixSubscription

Amazon VideoRent

Apple TV StoreRent

Google Play MoviesRent

Google Play MoviesBuy

YouTubeBuy

Fandango At HomeBuy

Cast

Lily Collins
Clary Fray
Jamie Campbell Bower
Jace Wayland
Robert Sheehan
Simon Lewis
Kevin Zegers
Alec Lightwood
Jemima West
Isabelle Lightwood
Lena Headey
Jocelyn Fray
Aidan Turner
Luke Garroway
Jared Harris
Hodge Starkweather

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Harald Zwart
Writers: I. Marlene King, Jessica Postigo
Languages: English
Countries: Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

MONEY

Did you know

Mid-budget at $60M — the now-extinct middle tier of Hollywood.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 13 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 4 countries: Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, United States of America.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Harald Zwart, shot by Geir Hartly Andreassen. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Atli Örvarsson. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Jacqueline Carmody shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Lily Collins and Jamie Campbell Bower and Robert Sheehan carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "There is a world hidden within our own.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Harald Zwart directs. Geir Hartly Andreassen behind the camera. Atli Örvarsson scores. Jacqueline Carmody cuts. Profitable at the box office. Produced in Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Mid-budget at $60M — the now-extinct middle tier of Hollywood.
2Released 13 years ago.
3International production across 4 countries: Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, United States of America.
4Directed by Harald Zwart, shot by Geir Hartly Andreassen. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
5Original score by Atli Örvarsson. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
6Editor Jacqueline Carmody shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
7Lily Collins and Jamie Campbell Bower and Robert Sheehan carry the top of the cast.
8Marketing tagline: "There is a world hidden within our own.".
9IMDB entry: tt1538403 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
10Classified under 10 themes, including "based on novel or book", "angel", "vampire", "werewolf".

The technical file

Cinematography: Geir Hartly Andreassen
Original score: Atli Örvarsson
Editing: Jacqueline Carmody
Production design: François Séguin
Costume design: Gersha Phillips
Makeup / hair: Paul Jones
Runtime: 130 min · 2h 10m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Budget: $60,000,000
Box office: $95,396,573
Return: 159% of budget
Original language: EN
Certification (US): PG-13
IMDB: The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013)

Also by

Harald Zwart

Stills · wallpapers

Selected frames

Full-resolution frames — open one to save it as a wallpaper.

Wallpaper

Trailers & featurettes

Watch the pieces

Community reviews

What people are saying

Dark Jedi2014-04-06
★ 6/10
I have not read the books. Judging by the reviews from people who have read them that seems to be a good thing as most of them seem to complain that the movie is not a good representation of the books. Then, when looking at the book ratings at Goodreads there seems to be a rather large spread between reviews loving the book and reviews hating it. If I had read the books I would expect them to sit on my young adult shelf in Goodreads. At least the movie is clearly for a teenage audience. Nevertheless it is quite entertaining as far as I am concerned. A bit silly and predictable at times but still entertaining. I would even call it a family movie although there where some scenes that might be a bit scary for the youngest ones in the family. The story is yet another variant of the classical young girl or boy discovers that there are things that go bump in the night and also that she is part of those things. I have to say that I quite like those kind of stories. As I wrote I found the movie quite entertaining but, although I cannot say that I have anything specific to complain, the movie never really lifts itself above the average crowd of entertaining movies. The special effects are ok but nothing more, the acting is average, the story is okay and so on. It was enjoyable 130 minutes and I never felt bored but I never went wow either. By the way, it never became clear to me why this episode was called City of Bones though. Maybe that is one of the things that the movie left out from the books.
Andres Gomez2015-10-05
★ 5/10
Bad and disjointed movie created at the warmth of Harry Potter and Hunger Games series. Only, this time doesn't work at all. Lot's of FX for an incoherent and boring story. Worst of all, no reason to call this episode "City of Bones" since it doesn't play a major role, at all. At least, not in the movie.
ekaari2024-05-26
★ 10/10
I absolutely love this movie and I will die on this hill. Yes it's campy and a bit predictable, but it's light hearted, fun, and entertaining. The acting isn't the best I've seen, but the casting is still perfect. It doesn't align perfectly with the books, but I don't think that scores against it. I've lost track of how many times I've rewatched it. 10/10 flawless