What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedCity of Bones
Cassandra Clare · Book · 2008
If you loved City of Bones, start with The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (Harald Zwart, 2013) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to City of Bones across media.
What hooked you in City of Bones is the thrill of discovering hidden supernatural layers beneath our ordinary, everyday world.
Start with the source
Adaptation
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones
Harald Zwart · Film · 2013
Films on the same thread
City of Angels
Brad Silberling · Film · 1998
Shares a thread with City of Bones: Forbidden Love.
Just as City of Bones explores the intersection of mortals and the divine, this film captures the emotional weight of a celestial being falling for a human heart.
Twilight
Catherine Hardwicke · Film · 2008
Shares 3 threads with City of Bones: Forbidden Love, Coming of Age, Paranormal Romance.
You will recognize the same magnetic pull of forbidden romance found in City of Bones, where a human is drawn into a dangerous, immortal underworld of secret hunters.
Constantine
Francis Lawrence · Film · 2005
Shares a thread with City of Bones: Urban Fantasy.
Much like the hidden demon-fighting society in City of Bones, this story unveils a gritty, supernatural reality existing just beneath the surface of the modern urban landscape.
City of God
Fernando Meirelles · Film · 2002
Explores: Poverty and Violence, Cycle of Crime, Lost Innocence.
While grounded in reality, the intense coming-of-age journey of two diverging paths mirrors the high-stakes struggles and loss of innocence experienced by characters in City of Bones.
Series on the same thread
Gossip Girl
Stephanie Savage · Series · 2007
Shares a thread with City of Bones: Identity.
If the social dynamics and secrets of the Shadowhunter world captivated you in City of Bones, you will appreciate the cutthroat power struggles within this elite Manhattan circle.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Joss Whedon · Series · 1997
Shares 3 threads with City of Bones: Coming of Age, Good vs Evil, Urban Fantasy.
This series mirrors the core premise of City of Bones, following a chosen one who must balance typical teenage challenges with the burden of fighting supernatural darkness.
Shadow and Bone
Eric Heisserer · Series · 2021
Shares a thread with City of Bones: good vs evil.
Like City of Bones, this series centers on a protagonist who discovers a dormant power, thrusting them into a complex fantasy world defined by war and ancient magic.
Smallville
Alfred Gough · Series · 2001
Explores: Secret Identity, Destiny vs. Free Will, First Love.
The struggle to embrace a secret destiny while navigating high school mirrors the classic coming-of-age arc that makes City of Bones such a compelling supernatural fantasy adventure.
Podcasts on the same thread
Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark
Turning Point USA · Podcast · 2026
Explores: spiritual healing, cultural critique, natural remedies.
Those interested in the spiritual and supernatural undercurrents explored in City of Bones will find a different kind of investigation into the unseen forces of our culture.
Liandra Carla-RELATOS SOBRENATURAIS
Podcast
Explores: Ghost stories, Unexplained phenomena, Real-life paranormal experiences.
If the paranormal encounters in City of Bones left you wanting more, these real-life accounts provide a raw look at the unexplained phenomena lurking in our world.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is City of Bones an urban fantasy book?
Yes, City of Bones is an epic urban fantasy book written by Cassandra Clare. It was first published in 2008 and is set in New York City, serving as the foundation for the broader series.
Was there a movie adaptation of City of Bones?
Yes, a feature film adaptation titled The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones was released in 2013. This movie is based on the original 2008 book by Cassandra Clare.
Should I read the City of Bones book before watching the movie?
Reading the 2008 City of Bones book before watching the 2013 film adaptation provides the full context of the urban fantasy setting. The book contains the complete original narrative as intended by author Cassandra Clare.
What is the original source material for the 2013 City of Bones movie?
The 2013 film The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones is based on the 2008 novel City of Bones written by Cassandra Clare. The book serves as the primary source material for the story set in New York.