Epoch Watchlist: Recommended Viewing for July 17–23

This week, we feature an uplifting story of a woman’s ride to independence via an unusual sport and a charming period romance set in Europe for an old-world feel.

New Release

‘Horsegirls’

While Sandy (Gretchen Mol) faces an uncertain illness, her daughter Margarita (Lillian Carrier), a 22-year-old autistic woman starts her first job and discovers competitive hobby horsing. With help from Coach (Jerod Haynes), she begins turning the unusual sport into a path toward independence.

Margarita’s progress feels believable because the film lets her face setbacks and triumphs without turning her into a symbol. Its message is simple and sincere: patience, kindness, and the right support can open doors that once seemed closed.

Comedy | Drama Release Date: July 17, 2026 Director: Lauren Meyering Starring: Gretchen Mol, Jerod Haynes, Lillian Carter Running Time: 1 hour, 41 minutes MPAA Rating: PG-13 Where to Watch: Theaters Rated: 4 stars out of 5

Family Pick

‘Cinderella II: Dreams Come True’

Cinderella (Jennifer Hale) adjusts to palace life after marrying Prince Charming (Christopher Daniel Barnes), while mice Jaq (Rob Paulsen) and Gus (Corey Burton) and the Fairy Godmother (Russi Taylor) turn royal rules, mouse magic, and stepsister Anastasia’s (Tress MacNeille) chance at love into three gentle stories.

I’m probably not the target audience for this kind of soft Disney sequel, although I still found it engaging in a gentle, storybook way. For kids who want happy dreams, forgiveness, and a harmless castle escape, it’s sure to please.

Family | Fantasy | Musical Release Date: Feb. 26, 2002 Director: John Kafka Starring: Jennifer Hale, Rob Paulsen, Corey Burton Running time: 1 hour, 13 minutes MPAA Rating: G Where to Watch: Apple TV, YouTube, Amazon Rated: 3 1/2 stars out of 5

Period Romance, Fantasy Included

‘A Room With a View’

Lucy Honeychurch (Helena Bonham Carter) is touring Italy when George Emerson (Julian Sands) cuts through her proper English routine. Back in England, fiancé Cecil Vyse (Daniel Day-Lewis) offers Lucy a polished future, but George makes that choice harder.

This has a nice, old-world romance vibe, with the cast giving it some flavor beyond costume-drama politeness. The romance has charm, although the George situation is worth noting since “wrong fiancé, better man appears” coding can morph into bad advice. However, in this case, Ms. Lucy is running from her heart’s truth.

Drama | Romance Release Date: May 23, 1986 Director: James Ivory Starring: Maggie Smith, Helena Bonham Carter, Denholm Elliott Running time: 1 hour, 57 minutes Not Rated Where to Watch: Amazon, Apple TV, YouTube Rated: 3 stars out of 5

Family, Fortune, and Old Hollywood

‘Mrs. Parkington’

Susie Parkington (Greer Garson), an elderly widow surrounded by greedy relatives, looks back on her climb from humble origins to the wife of tycoon Augustus Parkington (Walter Pidgeon).

Watching Garson and Pidgeon command the screen provides a great sense of old-school cinematic showmanship, especially as the plot dives into their descendants’ scramble for the family fortune.

Drama | Romance Release Date: Oct. 12, 1944 Director: Tay Garnett Starring: Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon, Edward Arnold Running Time: 2 hours, 4 minutes Not Rated Where to Watch: YouTube, Apple TV, Amazon Rated: 3 1/2 stars out of 5

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