In this study, we used bioinformatics method to identify MADS-box family members in the whole genome of maize(Zea mays) backbone inbred line Huangzaosi and maize inbred line B73, and then analyzed their expression patterns based on the transcriptome data. The results showed that 87 members of MADS-box gene family were identified in the genome of Huangzaosi, and 84 members were identified in the genome of B73. 113 homologous gene pairs were found among the members of MADS-box gene family between the two inbred lines, indicating the MADS-box gene family were evolutionarily conservative between the two inbred lines. The MADS-box genes expressed the least in microspore and bicellular male gametophyte, while the most in the tassel primordia tissue. Compared to the control, the expression analysis of under abiotic stress showed that the MADS-box genes were almost down-regulated under cold, heat, and UV stress, while most of the MADS-box genes were up-regulated under salt, drought stress or the combined stress of drought and salt. The analysis results of expression pattern suggested that members of MADS-box gene family were involved in the development and the response to abiotic stress in maize through different regulatory ways.