Batu Sener is a Turkish composer, orchestrator, and arranger based in Los Angeles. Sener is known for his work on the Ice Age franchise, Harold and the Purple Crayon, and Better Man.
He actively works alongside Oscar-nominated composer John Powell and has written additional music for films including Pan, Jason Bourne, Ferdinand, Solo: A Star Wars Story, as well as How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, Migration and most recently Wicked and the live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon.
His recent works include the studio album Lugano Impressions, an a cappella choir single titled 'LII Dies Tenebrarum,' and the score for the film Better Man, which earned him his AACTA Award for Best Original Music Score. He was a nominee for Breakthrough Composer of the Year in 2022 at IFMCA Awards.
Early life and education From the age of 3, he trained as a pianist for 17 years at Bilkent University Faculty of Music and Performance Arts and Anadolu University State Conservatory before moving to the United States to study film scoring at Berklee College of Music and composition at Columbia College Chicago. Once in Los Angeles, he met John Powell and has been his collaborator on every single film score and project since 2014.
Career Sener's first feature length score was in the Ice Age franchise titled The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild. A few months later, in the same franchise, Sener scored Ice Age: Scrat Tales, a mini TV series produced by Blue Sky Studios, which turned out to be the last project they released before the studio closed. Sener had collaborated with director Carlos Saldanha via John Powell on the animated feature film Ferdinand. This relationship led to his next feature score Harold and the Purple Crayon. He continues working out of John Powell's 5 Cat Studios and Powell is credited as Score Consultant on this score.
Meanwhile, in Turkey and Europe, Sener scored Atatürk, a two-part Turkish epic biographical historical drama film directed by Mehmet Ada Öztekin and written by Necati Şahin. The film follows the life of the founding father of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. This project was initially intended to be a 6-episode television series. It stars Aras Bulut İynemli in the title role. The first part of the film, titled Atatürk 1881 - 1919 premiered on October 29, 2023 and the second one, Atatürk II 1881 - 1919 premiered on January 5, 2024, both in Turkey and across Europe. Both films and the television version were later released on Amazon Prime Video.
In 2024, he released an album of arrangements of some of the most recognized traditional pop songs, Reset, by Ben Fuller. Sener is credited as a performer and producer on the album as well. He later scored Michael Gracey's Better Man, a biographical jukebox musical drama film based on the life of the English singer Robbie Williams.
In his work with John Powell, Sener has supplied compositions, arrangements, and orchestrations for over 15 films, along with a wide range of additional recording projects, including Jason Bourne, Solo: A Star Wars Story, How to Train Your Dragon franchise, Don't Worry Darling, Wicked and Wicked: For Good. Sener is also credited as producer on multiple albums including Ferdinand, The Call of the Wild and archival soundtracks from 5 Cat Studios. He has performed on soundtrack festivals and film music concerts across the world. He also worked as an arranger on Home, a single by Nick Jonas for the animated film Ferdinand.
In September 2026, Sener was announced to be the composer of the 6th theatrical installment of the Ice Age franchise Ice Age: Boiling Point.
Filmography As a score composer Year Title Director Note(s) Studio(s)/Publisher(s)2022The Ice Age Adventures of Buck WildJohn C. DonkinOriginal theme music composed by John PowellNominated for a Public Choice Award at the World Soundtrack Awards in 2022Winner for a Best Streaming Media Award at the BMI Film & TV Awards in 2023Walt Disney Pictures20th Century Studios20th Century AnimationBardel EntertainmentIce Age: Scrat TalesDonnie LongLast feature film by Blue Sky StudiosEnd title theme music composed by John PowellNominated for "Best Score in a TV Show/Limited Series" at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards in 2022Blue Sky Studios20th Century Animation2023Atatürk 1881 - 1919Mehmet Ada ÖztekinAdditional music composed by Markus SiegelLanistar MediaAtatürk II 1881 - 19192024Harold and the Purple CrayonCarlos SaldanhaColumbia PicturesDavis Entertainment2025Better ManMichael GraceyWinner for an AACTA Award for Best Original Music Score in 2025Paramount PicturesXfinity x Wicked: For GoodAlice BrooksComcast Xfinity's co-promotional short filmComcastUniversal Pictures2027Ice Age: Boiling PointJohn C. Donkin20th Century Studios20th Century Animation
As an additional music composer Year Title Director(s) Lead Composer2015PanJoe WrightJohn Powell2016Jason BournePaul Greengrass2017FerdinandCarlos Saldanha2018Solo: A Star Wars StoryRon Howard2019How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden WorldDean DeBlois2020The Call of the WildChris Sanders2021Locked DownDoug Liman2022Don't Worry DarlingOlivia Wilde2023Still: A Michael J. Fox MovieDavis GuggenheimMigrationBenjamin Renner2024Thelma the UnicornJared HessLynn WangThat ChristmasSimon OttoWickedJon M. Chu2025How to Train Your DragonDean DeBloisWicked: For GoodJon M. Chu2026Minions & MonstersPierre Coffin
Studio albums Year TitleNotes LabelCatalogue2016The Phoenix (Original Motion Picture Score)Score to the film by the same title directed by Jim DanDeeCrashington MusicCM0012019Lugano ImpressionsSener's first studio album for chamber music. Includes 'Lugano Suite' for cello and piano. Performed by Charlie Tyler and Batu Sener. Written, Recorded and Produced at 5 Cat Studios by John Michael Caldwell.5 Cat StudiosFCS0022020LII Dies TenebrarumA Cappella Choir SingleFCS0042021Piano Solos from "How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World"Arranged and Performed by Batu Sener.FCS0052020Piano Solos from "The Call of the Wild"FCS0062021Wade in the Water (Music from the Motion Picture)From the motion picture title Wade in the Water, directed by David Bianchi. Music by Batu Sener. Vocals by Onyi Love. Crashington MusicCM0022024ResetTraditional Pop album by Ben Fuller. Arranged and Performed by Batu Sener.CM0042024Night and DaySingle by Ben Fuller. Arranged and Performed by Batu Sener.CM0052026An Occasional ManTraditional Pop album by Ben Fuller. Arrangements by Batu Sener. Co-produced with Ben Fuller. Musicians: Sean Hurley, bass; George Doering, guitars; Charlie Tyler, cello; Alec Lubin, percussion; Batu Sener, pianoCM007
See also :Category:Films scored by Batu Sener
References
External links Batu Sener - Official Site
Batu Sener - Kraft-Engel Management