Verdict:The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones is a confirmed FLOP based on our analysis of audience ratings and box office momentum.
With a rating of 6.4/10, it has delivered a mixed experience for fans of the Fantasy, Action, Mystery genre.
Answer: Yes, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Fantasy movies.
It features a runtime of 130 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Last updated: January 11, 2026
Released in 2013, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones enters the Fantasy genre with a narrative focused on 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. Under the direction of Harald Zwart, the film attempts to weave detailed character arcs with visual storytelling.
The film is anchored by performances from Lily Collins, Jamie Campbell Bower, Robert Sheehan. While the cast delivers competent performances, the script occasionally limits their range.
From a technical standpoint, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones offers a competent presentation. The cinematography uses a distinct visual palette that aligns well with the tone. While the 4K mastering highlights the production value, the pacing during its 130-minute runtime can feel deliberate.
Beyond the narrative, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones resonates with current cultural themes in the Fantasy space. It stays within the established boundaries of its genre, providing exactly what core fans expect without reinventing the wheel.
As of January 2026, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones is available in theaters worldwide. For streaming audiences in the US, UK, and India, look for availability on major platforms roughly 45-60 days after the theatrical release. Don't miss the high-definition experience provided by premium large format (PLF) screenings.
The plot of The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones centers on a unique premise within the Fantasy landscape. 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. The second act serves as a major turning point, leading to a climax that fans of 2013 cinema will find fairly predictable.
The ending of The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones has sparked significant debate on social media. It signifies the ambiguous resolution of the main plot thread. Given the current box office momentum, discussions of a The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones sequel or a wider cinematic universe are already gaining traction.
Final verdict for The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013): with an audience rating of 6.4/10, the reception has been divisive. It is a recommended for fans of Fantasy, Action, Mystery cinema who appreciate attention to detail.
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $60,000,000 |
| Worldwide Gross | $95,396,573 |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
The estimated production budget for The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones is $60,000,000. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.4/10, and global collection metrics, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2013 cinematic year.
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones has received mixed reviews with a 6.4/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Fantasy, Action, Mystery movies, but read reviews first.
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones is a Fantasy, Action, Mystery movie that In New York City, Clary Fray, a seemingly ordinary teenager, learns that she is descended from a line of Shadowhunters — half-angel warriors who prote...
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones has received mixed reviews with a 6.4/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Fantasy, Action, Mystery movies, but read reviews first.
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones is a Fantasy, Action, Mystery movie that In New York City, Clary Fray, a seemingly ordinary teenager, learns that she is descended from a line of Shadowhunters — half-angel warriors who prote...
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones is a Fantasy, Action, Mystery movie. Please check the content rating before watching with family.
You can find streaming options and availability for The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones on popular platforms. Check movieMx for the latest updates and reviews.
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones features a talented cast. Check our "Top Cast" section to see the full list of actors and the characters they play in this film.
The runtime and duration of The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones are available in the movie details section. It's a gripping story that keeps you engaged from start to finish.
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.
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.
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
