MAKING MOVIES by DIRE STRAITS has sold 5,135,000 copies in 53 countries. The album sold best in United States (1,000,000 copies), United Kingdom (600,000 copies) and Germany (250,000 copies).
MAKING MOVIES certifications and sales
| Country / region | Sales | Certification / source | Certification date / sales as of | |
 Canada |
200,000 | 2x Platinum | 1989 |
Canada Sales: 200,000
Certification / note: 2x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 1989
|
 Finland |
53,858 | IFPI Finland |
Finland Sales: 53,858
Certification / note: IFPI Finland
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 France |
100,000 | 1x Gold | 1981 |
France Sales: 100,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: 1981
|
 Germany |
250,000 | 1x Gold | 1981 |
Germany Sales: 250,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: 1981
|
 Italy |
50,000 | 1x Platinum (Sales since 2009) | 2021 |
Italy Sales: 50,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum (Sales since 2009)
Certification Date / sales as of: 2021
|
 Netherlands |
50,000 | 1x Gold | 1980 |
Netherlands Sales: 50,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: 1980
|
 New Zealand |
135,000 | 9x Platinum |
New Zealand Sales: 135,000
Certification / note: 9x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 Spain |
50,000 | 1x Gold | 1981 |
Spain Sales: 50,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: 1981
|
 Switzerland |
25,000 | 1x Gold | 1996 |
Switzerland Sales: 25,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: 1996
|
 United Kingdom |
600,000 | 2x Platinum | 5 August, 1985 |
United Kingdom Sales: 600,000
Certification / note: 2x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 5 August, 1985
|
 United States |
1,000,000 | 1x Platinum | 30 July, 2001 |
United States Sales: 1,000,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 30 July, 2001
|
 Europe |
3,800,000 | Universal Music Japan |
Europe Sales: 3,800,000
Certification / note: Universal Music Japan
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
| Total sales | 5,135,000 | (in 53 countries) |
Total
Sales: 5,135,000
(in 53 countries)
|
Year-end chart performance for MAKING MOVIES
| Chart 1980 | Rank |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) |
89 |
| Chart 1981 | Rank |
 Australian Albums (Kent Music Report) |
5 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) |
17 |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) |
1 |
| UK Albums (Music Week) |
12 |
| US Albums (Billboard 200) |
51 |
| Chart 1982 | Rank |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) |
8 |
| UK Albums (Music Week) |
63 |
| Chart 1983 | Rank |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) |
36 |
| Chart 1986 | Rank |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) |
50 |