The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

Year: 2013

Runtime: 130 min

Language: English

Director: Harald Zwart

Budget: $60M

ActionAdventureDramaMysteryFantasyRomance

When teenager Clary Fray discovers she's the last descendant of Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to protecting the world from demons, her ordinary life is shattered. Drawn into a dangerous, hidden realm known as Downworld, she must confront a legacy she never knew existed. Alongside a group of Shadowhunters, Clary battles powerful demons, warlocks, and other supernatural beings while uncovering the truth about her family and her own extraordinary abilities.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013)

Trace every key event in The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Clary's Bizarre Experiences

Clary Fray, a teenager in New York, begins to notice strange occurrences in her life, such as odd symbols appearing in her sketches. These events coincide with her mother's escalating anxiety, hinting at deeper troubles ahead.

New York
2

Witness to a Murder

While out at a nightclub with her friend Simon, Clary witnesses a shocking murder committed by Jace Wayland and his allies. This traumatic event marks the beginning of her plunge into the supernatural underworld.

Nightclub
3

Mother’s Warning

The next day, strange figures intrude on Clary's home, seeking a powerful artifact. During this confrontation, her mother Jocelyn warns her about the sinister intentions of Valentine, which ultimately puts her in peril.

Fray Household
4

A Mother's Coma

In a desperate attempt to protect Clary from the intruders, Jocelyn becomes comatose after revealing critical information regarding the dangerous Valentine and his plans. This adds urgency to Clary's quest for answers.

Fray Household
5

Attack of the Demon

Clary returns home to discover her mother missing and soon finds herself under attack by a demonic creature. Jace saves her, introducing her to the world of Shadowhunters and the dangers that lurk in the shadows.

Fray Household
6

Learning the Truth

With the help of Madame Dorothea, Clary learns about her family's dark history and the motives behind Pangborn and Blackwell's quest for the Mortal Cup. She realizes her mother has hidden perilous secrets from her.

Madame Dorothea's
7

Seeking Refuge

Clary, Jace, and Simon seek sanctuary at Luke's antique shop where they discover Luke under siege by the intruders. They must act quickly to escape the looming threat and seek safety.

Luke's Antique Shop
8

Introduction to the Shadowhunters

At the Shadowhunter Institute, Clary meets Jace’s companions, Alec and Isabelle, and their mentor Hodge. She begins learning about the Shadowhunter legacy, realizing her own potential as a Shadowhunter.

Shadowhunter Institute
9

Discovering the Mortal Cup

Clary learns that her family has a connection to the Mortal Cup, the key artifact that Valentine seeks to control both Shadowhunters and demons. She understands the weight of the conflict she is now part of.

10

Rescuing Simon

When Simon is captured by vampires, Clary takes the initiative to rescue him. Joined by Jace, Alec, and Isabelle, they navigate through the dangerous vampire and werewolf territory to save their friend.

Vampire Lair
11

Dynamics Change

As Simon recovers at the institute with strange signs of transformation beginning to manifest, Clary confronts the developing feelings between herself, Simon, and Jace. This emotional turmoil complicates their interactions.

Shadowhunter Institute
12

Unraveling Betrayal

In a twist, Clary discovers that Valentine is her father, a shocking revelation that transforms her perspective on her life and her family. This truth leads to deeper questions about loyalty and identity.

13

Clary's Empowerment

After understanding her abilities, Clary devises a clever scheme to outsmart Valentine. She manages to send him into a portal, emphasizing her newfound strength and determination as a Shadowhunter.

14

New Beginnings

With her mother still unconscious and the battle behind them, Clary and Jace confront their budding feelings for each other. She is ready to embrace her new role in the Shadowhunter world as they prepare for future challenges.

Shadowhunter Institute

Last Updated: November 19, 2024 at 16:16

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Dark urban fantasy movies like The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

Modern cities hide ancient magical worlds and monstrous threats.Find more movies like The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones where modern cities hide magical worlds. This thread features similar fantasy stories with hidden supernatural societies, monster hunting, and teenage heroes discovering their dangerous destinies.

darkadventuroussuspensefulhidden worldsupernaturaldangerousdiscovering destinythrilling

Narrative Summary

Stories typically begin with an ordinary protagonist discovering a hidden magical world coexisting with our own, often in an urban setting. They are drawn into a conflict involving ancient factions, uncover hidden powers, and must battle supernatural evils while navigating this dangerous new reality.

Why These Movies?

These films share a core premise of a hidden world within our own, a dark and dangerous tone, fast-paced action, and a focus on a protagonist's journey of self-discovery and empowerment against supernatural threats.

Teenage hero and found family stories like The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

Young outsiders discover their power and find a new family to fight for.If you liked the themes in The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, explore movies about teenage heroes discovering powers and finding a new family. These stories blend coming-of-age drama with action, romance, and the emotional weight of uncovering destiny and secrets.

coming of agefound familyromantic tensiondiscovering destinymelodramaticteenage identityemotionalempowering

Narrative Summary

The narrative centers on a teenage protagonist's coming-of-age journey, triggered by a discovery of hidden powers or a dangerous legacy. They grapple with identity, face familial betrayal or secrets, and find strength and belonging in a supportive group of allies who join their fight.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped by their focus on a teenage protagonist's empowering arc, the emotional themes of found family and self-discovery, a blend of high-stakes action with romantic tension, and a tone that balances dark threats with moments of camaraderie and hope.

Unlock the Full Story of The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

Similar Movies to The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

Discover movies like The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.