In total, eight evaluations with 27 critical configurations spanning 11 series of assemblies conducted at the BFS-1 and BFS-2 facilities [BFS: Bol'shoy Fizicheskiy Stand (in transcription from Russian: Big Physical Facility)] are documented in the 2013 edition of the International Handbook of Evaluated Reactor Physics Benchmark Experiments (IRPhEP Handbook). The evaluations concern four scientific issues: physics of sodium-cooled, medium-sized fast reactors; physics of sodium-cooled, small-sized experimental reactors; physics of lead-cooled fast reactors; and integral benchmark data for the mixed oxide (MOX) fuel manufacturing process, particularly low-moderated MOX fissile media. Also, two evaluations with 11 critical configurations spanning two series of assemblies conducted at the BFS-1 facility where many physical parameters in addition to criticality were measured and are documented in the International Handbook of Evaluated Criticality Safety Benchmark Experiments (ICSBEP Handbook). These experiments were designed to obtain data that are applicable to a wide range of criticality safety operations involving fissile contaminated waste streams. This paper provides an overview of the BFS experiments presented in the IRPhEP and ICSBEP Handbooks.