Abstract: Maize, China’s primary grain crop, is susceptible to a range of diseases, with ear rot being a prevalent issue that can result in diminished yields and deteriorated quality. The disease is caused by a diverse array of pathogens, and its pathogenic mechanisms are intricate. From an economic, safety, and efficacy standpoint, disease-resistant breeding stands out as the optimal strategy. Consequently, summarizing the identification and evaluation of maize germplasm for ear rot resistance and the discovery of disease-resistant loci can expedite the advancement of disease-resistant breeding efforts. This article examined the detrimental effects and preventative measures of maize ear rot, the leading pathogens of ear rot both within China and internationally, the prevalent pathogens in different regions of China, and the maize varieties that have been identified as resistant to ear rot. It also discussed the disease-resistant loci that have been pinpointed through linkage analysis and genome-wide association analysis methods. Lastly, it provided insights into the breeding of maize for ear rot resistance, aiming to offer a guide for future research on this topic.